Mobile terminal and method for controlling the same

ABSTRACT

A force sensitive touch screen device can include a device body including a first region and a second region, a window on the device body and corresponding to the first and second regions, a display unit below the window corresponding to the first region, a key input unit on the second region, and a touch sensor including a first touch sensing layer, a second touch sensing layer, and a force sensing layer, in which the first and second touch sensing layers are between a polarizer layer and a thin film transistor (TFT) layer that can detect a position of a touch input by sensing a change of capacitance on the first sensing layer and the second sensing layer, the force sensing layer can detect a force of the touch input by sensing capacitance on the third sensing layer, and a finger scan sensor is installed in the key input unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser.No. 14/506,240 filed on Oct. 3, 2014, which claims priority under 35U.S.C. §119(a) to Korean Application No. 10-2014-0043804, filed in theRepublic of Korea on Apr. 11, 2014. The entire contents of all of theabove applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and correspondingmethod for controlling the mobile terminal based on a touch inputapplied to a display unit.

2. Description of the Related Art

Terminals may be divided into mobile/portable terminals and stationaryterminals. Also, the mobile terminals may be classified into handheldterminals and vehicle mounted terminals. A mobile terminal can alsocapture still images or moving images, play music or video files, playgames, receive broadcast and the like, so as to be implemented as anintegrated multimedia player.

Further, the mobile terminal includes a touch screen display unitallowing the user to touch the display unit to input information.However, the related art touch input methods are limited in nature andoften inconvenient to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a touchdisplay unit for sensing touch coordinates and a touch pressure to moreconveniently control various functions.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, thepresent invention provides in one aspect a mobile terminal including awireless communication unit configured to provide wireless communicationa body configured to form an external appearance of the terminal a touchdisplay unit formed on the body, wherein the touch display unit includesa display panel configured to display screen information, a windowformed on the display panel, a first sensing unit and a second sensingunit disposed below the window and configured to sense touch coordinatesof a touch input on the window, a deformation region configured todeform with at least one region of the window where the touch inputoccurs on the window, and a third sensing unit separated from the firstsensing unit by interposing the deformation region therebetween and acontroller configured to execute a specific control command based on thetouch input sensed by the first through the third sensing units.

In still another aspect, the touch sensing unit includes a first sensingunit configured to receive a current, a second sensing unit configuredto output a current delivered from the first sensing unit to sense touchcoordinates according to a current change due to a touch input, and athird sensing unit disposed to be separated from the second sensing unitby interposing the deformation region therebetween to allow a current toflow through the seconding sensing unit so as to sense a touch pressurewhen a thickness of the deformation region is deformed.

The first and the third sensing unit serve as an input stage forreceiving a current, and the second sensing unit selectively serves asan output stage for outputting a current from the third sensing unitwhen a thickness of the deformation region is decreased. In other words,the second sensing unit may be shared as an output stage, therebysensing the touch coordinates and touch pressure.

In still another aspect, an output stage of the touch sensing unit maybe provided therein and an input stage for sensing a touch pressure dueto a deformation region which is deformed by an external force may beadditionally provided therein, thereby sensing the touch coordinates andtouch pressure at the same time.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by illustration only, since various changes and modificationswithin the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 1B and 1C are overviews illustrating a mobile terminal accordingto an embodiment of the present invention as seen from differentdirections;

FIG. 1D is an exploded view of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 2 is a conceptual view illustrating a touch sensing unit formed tosense the touch coordinates and touch pressure of a touch input;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are partial cross-sectional views of FIG. 2 cut alongline A-A to illustrate the structure of a touch display unit accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a method of driving sensing layersalternately activated according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5A is conceptual view and FIG. 5B is a flowchart illustrating amethod of compensating a touch pressure based on a region to which atouch input is applied;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are partial cross-sectional views of FIG. 2, which arecut along line A-A to illustrate a touch display unit including a touchsensing unit formed on a liquid crystal display panel according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a conceptual view illustrating a touch display unit accordingto still another embodiment;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are conceptual views illustrating a touch display unitin which a touch sensing line is formed on a display panel;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are conceptual views illustrating a touch display unitincluding a touch sensing unit formed on a display panel;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are partial cross-sectional views of FIG. 2 cut alongline A-A to illustrate a touch display unit including an OLED panel;

FIG. 11 is a conceptual view illustrating a method of sensing touchcoordinates and a touch pressure to form a control command;

FIG. 12A is an exploded view illustrating an air hole for inflowing andoutflowing air from a deformation region;

FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view illustrating an air hole:

FIG. 13A is a flowchart and FIG. 13B through 13F are conceptual viewsillustrating a control method according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14A is a conceptual view illustrating a control method of a mobileterminal using a plurality of touch inputs having different touchpressures;

FIGS. 14B through 14G are conceptual views illustrating a control methodbased on a plurality of touch inputs;

FIG. 15 is a conceptual view illustrating a control method for executinga preset function using a touch pressure;

FIGS. 16A through 16C are conceptual views illustrating a method forexecuting another function based on a touch pressure;

FIG. 17 is a conceptual view illustrating a control method according tothe sensing of touch coordinates and the sensing of a touch pressure;and

FIG. 18A through 18C are conceptual views illustrating a control methodwhen the sensing of touch coordinates is restricted by a touch sensingunit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and thesame or similar elements are designated with the same numeral referencesregardless of the numerals in the drawings and their redundantdescription will be omitted. A suffix “module” or “unit” used forconstituent elements disclosed in the following description is merelyintended for easy description of the specification, and the suffixitself does not give any special meaning or function. Also, it should benoted that the accompanying drawings are merely illustrated to easilyexplain the concept of the invention, and therefore, they should not beconstrued to limit the technological concept disclosed herein by theaccompanying drawings.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describevarious elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms.These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.Further, when an element is referred to as being “connected with”another element, the element can be directly connected with the otherelement or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, whenan element is referred to as being “directly connected with” anotherelement, there are no intervening elements present.

Mobile terminals described herein may include cellular phones, smartphones, laptop computers, digital broadcasting terminals, personaldigital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs),navigators, slate PCs, tablet PCs, ultra books, wearable devices (forexample, smart watches, smart glasses, head mounted displays (HMDs)),and the like. However, the configuration according to the embodiments ofthis specification can also be applied to stationary terminals such asdigital TV, desktop computers and the like, excluding a case of beingapplicable only to the mobile terminals.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 1B and 1C are conceptualviews of one example of the mobile terminal, viewed from differentdirections. As shown, the mobile terminal 100 may include components,such as a wireless communication unit 110, an input unit 120, a sensingunit 140, an output unit 150, an interface unit 160, a memory 170, acontroller 180, a power supply unit 190 and the like. FIG. 1Aillustrates the mobile terminal having various components, butimplementing all of the illustrated components is not a requirement.Greater or fewer components may alternatively be implemented.

In more detail, the wireless communication unit 110 typically includesone or more modules which permit wireless communications between themobile terminal 100 and a wireless communication system, between themobile terminal 100 and another mobile terminal 100, or between themobile terminal 100 and a network within which another mobile terminal100 (or an external server) is located.

For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include at leastone of a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short-range communication module114, a location information module 115 and the like.

The input unit 120 may include a camera 121 for inputting an imagesignal, a microphone 122 or an audio input module for inputting an audiosignal, or a user input unit 123 (for example, a touch key, a push key(or a mechanical key), etc.) for allowing a user to input information.Audio data or image data collected by the input unit 120 may be analyzedand processed by a user's control command.

The sensing unit 140 may include at least one sensor which senses atleast one of internal information of the mobile terminal, a surroundingenvironment of the mobile terminal and user information. For example,the sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141, an illuminationsensor 142, a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic sensor, aG-sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a motion sensor, an RGB sensor, aninfrared (IR) sensor, a finger scan sensor, a ultrasonic sensor, anoptical sensor (for example, refer to the camera 121), a microphone 122,a battery gauge, an environment sensor (for example, a barometer, ahygrometer, a thermometer, a radiation detection sensor, a thermalsensor, a gas sensor, etc.), and a chemical sensor (for example, anelectronic nose, a health care sensor, a biometric sensor, etc.).Further, the mobile terminal disclosed herein may utilize information insuch a manner of combining information sensed by at least two sensors ofthose sensors.

The output unit 150 is configured to output an audio signal, a videosignal or a tactile signal. The output unit 150 may include a displayunit 151, an audio output module 152, a haptic module 153, an opticaloutput module 154 and the like. The display unit 151 may have aninter-layered structure or an integrated structure with a touch sensorso as to implement a touch screen. The touch screen may provide anoutput interface between the mobile terminal 100 and a user, as well asfunctioning as the user input unit 123 which provides an input interfacebetween the mobile terminal 100 and the user.

The interface unit 160 serves as an interface with various types ofexternal devices connected with the mobile terminal 100. The interfaceunit 160, for example, may include wired or wireless headset ports,external power supply ports, wired or wireless data ports, memory cardports, ports for connecting a device having an identification module,audio input/output (I/O) ports, video I/O ports, earphone ports, or thelike. The mobile terminal 100 may execute an appropriate controlassociated with a connected external device, in response to the externaldevice being connected to the interface unit 160.

The memory 170 can store a plurality of application programs (orapplications) executed in the mobile terminal 100, data for operationsof the mobile terminal 100, instruction words, and the like. At leastsome of those application programs may be downloaded from an externalserver via wireless communication. Some others of those applicationprograms may be installed within the mobile terminal 100 at the time ofbeing shipped for basic functions of the mobile terminal 100 (forexample, receiving a call, placing a call, receiving a message, sendinga message, etc.). Further, the application programs may be stored in thememory 170, installed in the mobile terminal 100, and executed by thecontroller 180 to perform an operation (or a function) of the mobileterminal 100.

The controller 180 typically controls an overall operation of the mobileterminal 100 in addition to the operations associated with theapplication programs. The controller 180 can provide or processinformation or functions appropriate for a user by processing signals,data, information and the like, which are input or output by theaforementioned components, or activating the application programs storedin the memory 170.

The controller 180 can control at least part of the componentsillustrated in FIG. 1A, in order to drive the application programsstored in the memory 170. In addition, the controller 180 can drive theapplication programs by combining at least two of the componentsincluded in the mobile terminal 100 for operation.

The power supply unit 190 can receive external power or internal powerand supply appropriate power required for operating respective elementsand components included in the mobile terminal 100 under the control ofthe controller 180. The power supply unit 190 may include a battery, andthe battery may be an embedded battery or a replaceable battery.

At least part of those elements and components may be combined toimplement operation and control of the mobile terminal or a controlmethod of the mobile terminal according to various embodiments describedherein. Also, the operation and control or the control method of themobile terminal may be implemented in the mobile terminal in such amanner of activating at least one application program stored in thememory 170.

Hereinafter, each aforementioned component will be described in moredetail with reference to FIG. 1A, prior to explaining variousembodiments implemented by the mobile terminal 100 having theconfiguration.

First, the wireless communication unit 110 will be described. Thebroadcast receiving module 111 of the wireless communication unit 110may receive a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated informationfrom an external broadcast managing entity via a broadcast channel. Thebroadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrialchannel. At least two broadcast receiving modules 111 may be provided inthe mobile terminal 100 to simultaneously receive at least two broadcastchannels or switch the broadcast channels.

The mobile communication module 112 may transmit/receive wirelesssignals to/from at least one of network entities, for example, a basestation, an external mobile terminal, a server, and the like, on amobile communication network, which is constructed according totechnical standards or transmission methods for mobile communications(for example, Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), CodeDivision Multi Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), High Speed DownlinkPacket access (HSDPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc.)

Here, the wireless signals may include audio call signal, video(telephony) call signal, or various formats of data according totransmission/reception of text/multimedia messages. The wirelessInternet module 113 denotes a module for wireless Internet access. Thismodule may be internally or externally coupled to the mobile terminal100. The wireless Internet module 113 may transmit/receive wirelesssignals via communication networks according to wireless Internettechnologies.

Examples of such wireless Internet access may include Wireless LAN(WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Direct, Digital Living NetworkAlliance (DLNA), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), Worldwide Interoperabilityfor Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA),Long Term Evolution (LTE), and the like. The wireless Internet module113 may transmit/receive data according to at least one wirelessInternet technology within a range including even Internet technologieswhich are not aforementioned.

From the perspective that the wireless Internet accesses according toWibro, HSDPA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LET and the like are executed via amobile communication network, the wireless Internet module 113 whichperforms the wireless Internet access via the mobile communicationnetwork may be understood as a type of the mobile communication module112.

The short-range communication module 114 denotes a module forshort-range communications. Suitable technologies for implementing theshort-range communications may include BLUETOOTH™, Radio FrequencyIDentification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra-WideBand(UWB), ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NFC), Wireless-Fidelity(Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, and the like. The short-range communicationmodule 114 may support wireless communications between the mobileterminal 100 and a wireless communication system, between the mobileterminal 100 and another mobile terminal 100, or between the mobileterminal and a network where another mobile terminal 100 (or an externalserver) is located, via wireless personal area networks.

Here, the other mobile terminal 100 may be a wearable device, forexample, a smart watch, a smart glass or a head mounted display (HMD),which can exchange data with the mobile terminal 100 (or to cooperatewith the mobile terminal 100). The short-range communication module 114can sense (recognize) a wearable device, which can communicate with themobile terminal), near the mobile terminal 100. In addition, when thesensed wearable device is a device which is authenticated to communicatewith the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention, thecontroller 180 can transmit at least part of data processed in themobile terminal 100 to the wearable device via the short-rangecommunication module 114. Hence, a user of the wearable device can usethe data processed in the mobile terminal 100 on the wearable device.For example, when a call is received in the mobile terminal 100, theuser can answer the call using the wearable device. Also, when a messageis received in the mobile terminal 100, the user can check the receivedmessage using the wearable device.

The location information module 115 denotes a module for detecting orcalculating a position of the mobile terminal. An example of thelocation information module 115 may include a Global Position System(GPS) module or a Wi-Fi module. For example, when the mobile terminaluses the GPS module, a position of the mobile terminal may be acquiredusing a signal sent from a GPS satellite. As another example, when themobile terminal uses the Wi-Fi module, a position of the mobile terminalmay be acquired based on information related to a wireless access point(AP) which transmits or receives a wireless signal to or from the Wi-Fimodule.

Hereinafter, the input unit 120 will be described in more detail. Theinput unit 120 may be configured to provide an audio or video signal (orinformation) input to the mobile terminal or information input by a userto the mobile terminal. For the input of the audio information, themobile terminal 100 may include one or a plurality of cameras 121. Thecamera 121 may process image frames of still pictures or video obtainedby image sensors in a video call mode or a capture mode. The processedimage frames may be displayed on the display unit 151. Further, theplurality of cameras 121 disposed in the mobile terminal 100 may bearranged in a matrix configuration. By use of the cameras 121 having thematrix configuration, a plurality of image information having variousangles or focal points may be input into the mobile terminal 100. Also,the plurality of cameras 121 may be arranged in a stereoscopic structureto acquire a left image and a right image for implementing astereoscopic image.

The microphone 122 may process an external audio signal into electricaudio data. The processed audio data may be utilized in various mannersaccording to a function being executed in the mobile terminal 100 (or anapplication program being executed). Further, the microphone 122 mayinclude assorted noise removing algorithms to remove noise generated inthe course of receiving the external audio signal.

The user input unit 123 can receive information input by a user. Wheninformation is input through the user input unit 123, the controller 180can control an operation of the mobile terminal 100 to correspond to theinput information. The user input unit 123 may include a mechanicalinput element (or a mechanical key, for example, a button located on afront/rear surface or a side surface of the mobile terminal 100, a domeswitch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc.), and a touch-sensitive inputmechanism. As one example, the touch-sensitive input mechanism may be avirtual key, a soft key or a visual key, which is displayed on a touchscreen through software processing, or a touch key which is disposed ona portion except for the touch screen. Further, the virtual key or thevisual key may be displayable on the touch screen in various shapes, forexample, graphic, text, icon, video or a combination thereof.

The sensing unit 140 can sense at least one of internal information ofthe mobile terminal, surrounding environment information of the mobileterminal and user information, and generate a sensing signalcorresponding to it. The controller 180 can control an operation of themobile terminal 100 or execute data processing, a function or anoperation associated with an application program installed in the mobileterminal based on the sensing signal. Hereinafter, description will begiven in more detail of representative sensors of various sensors whichmay be included in the sensing unit 140.

First, the proximity sensor 141 refers to a sensor to sense presence orabsence of an object approaching to a surface to be sensed, or an objectdisposed near a surface to be sensed, by using an electromagnetic fieldor infrared rays without a mechanical contact. The proximity sensor 141may be arranged at an inner region of the mobile terminal covered by thetouch screen, or near the touch screen. The proximity sensor 141 mayhave a longer lifespan and a more enhanced utility than a contactsensor.

The proximity sensor 141, for example, may include a transmissive typephotoelectric sensor, a direct reflective type photoelectric sensor, amirror reflective type photoelectric sensor, a high-frequencyoscillation proximity sensor, a capacitance type proximity sensor, amagnetic type proximity sensor, an infrared rays proximity sensor, andso on. When the touch screen is implemented as a capacitance type, theproximity sensor 141 may sense proximity of a pointer to the touchscreen by changes of an electromagnetic field, which is responsive to anapproach of an object with conductivity. In this instance, the touchscreen (touch sensor) may be categorized into a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for the sake of brief explanation, a status that thepointer is positioned to be proximate onto the touch screen withoutcontact will be referred to as ‘proximity touch,’ whereas a status thatthe pointer substantially comes in contact with the touch screen will bereferred to as ‘contact touch.’ For the position corresponding to theproximity touch of the pointer on the touch screen, such position willcorrespond to a position where the pointer faces perpendicular to thetouch screen upon the proximity touch of the pointer. The proximitysensor 141 can sense proximity touch, and proximity touch patterns(e.g., distance, direction, speed, time, position, moving status, etc.).Further, the controller 180 can process data (or information)corresponding to the proximity touches and the proximity touch patternssensed by the proximity sensor 141, and output visual informationcorresponding to the process data on the touch screen. In addition, thecontroller 180 can control the mobile terminal 100 to execute differentoperations or process different data (or information) according towhether a touch with respect to the same point on the touch screen iseither a proximity touch or a contact touch.

A touch sensor can sense a touch (or touch input) applied onto the touchscreen (or the display unit 151) using at least one of various types oftouch methods, such as a resistive type, a capacitive type, an infraredtype, a magnetic field type, and the like.

As one example, the touch sensor can be configured to convert changes ofpressure applied to a specific part of the display unit 151 or acapacitance occurring from a specific part of the display unit 151, intoelectric input signals. Also, the touch sensor may be configured tosense not only a touched position and a touched area, but also touchpressure. Here, a touch object is an object to apply a touch input ontothe touch sensor. Examples of the touch object may include a finger, atouch pen, a stylus pen, a pointer or the like.

When touch inputs are sensed by the touch sensors, corresponding signalsmay be transmitted to a touch controller. The touch controller canprocess the received signals, and then transmit corresponding data tothe controller 180. Accordingly, the controller 180 can sense whichregion of the display unit 151 has been touched. Here, the touchcontroller may be a component separate from the controller 180 or thecontroller 180 itself.

Further, the controller 180 can execute a different control or the samecontrol according to a type of an object which touches the touch screen(or a touch key provided in addition to the touch screen). Whether toexecute the different control or the same control according to theobject which gives a touch input may be decided based on a currentoperating state of the mobile terminal 100 or a currently executedapplication program.

Meanwhile, the touch sensor and the proximity sensor may be executedindividually or in combination, to sense various types of touches, suchas a short (or tap) touch, a long touch, a multi-touch, a drag touch, aflick touch, a pinch-in touch, a pinch-out touch, a swipe touch, ahovering touch, and the like.

An ultrasonic sensor may be configured to recognize position informationrelating to a sensing object by using ultrasonic waves. The controller180 can calculate a position of a wave generation source based oninformation sensed by an illumination sensor and a plurality ofultrasonic sensors. Since light is much faster than ultrasonic waves, atime for which the light reaches the optical sensor may be much shorterthan a time for which the ultrasonic wave reaches the ultrasonic sensor.The position of the wave generation source may be calculated using thefact. In more detail, the position of the wave generation source may becalculated by using a time difference from the time that the ultrasonicwave reaches based on the light as a reference signal.

The camera 121 constructing the input unit 120 may be a type of camerasensor. The camera sensor may include at least one of a photo sensor anda laser sensor. The camera 121 and the laser sensor may be combined todetect a touch of the sensing object with respect to a 3D stereoscopicimage. The photo sensor may be laminated on the display device. Thephoto sensor may be configured to scan a movement of the sensing objectin proximity to the touch screen. In more detail, the photo sensor mayinclude photo diodes and transistors at rows and columns to scan contentplaced on the photo sensor by using an electrical signal which changesaccording to the quantity of applied light. Namely, the photo sensor maycalculate the coordinates of the sensing object according to variationof light to thus obtain position information of the sensing object.

The display unit 151 can display information processed in the mobileterminal 100. For example, the display unit 151 can display executionscreen information of an application program driven in the mobileterminal 100 or user interface (UI) and graphic user interface (GUI)information in response to the execution screen information.

The display unit 151 may also be implemented as a stereoscopic displayunit for displaying stereoscopic images. The stereoscopic display unitmay employ a stereoscopic display scheme such as stereoscopic scheme (aglass scheme), an auto-stereoscopic scheme (glassless scheme), aprojection scheme (holographic scheme), or the like.

The audio output module 152 can output audio data received from thewireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a callsignal reception mode, a call mode, a record mode, a voice recognitionmode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. Also, the audio outputmodule 152 may also provide audible output signals related to aparticular function (e.g., a call signal reception sound, a messagereception sound, etc.) performed by the mobile terminal 100. The audiooutput module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer or thelike.

A haptic module 153 can generate various tactile effects user may feel.A typical example of the tactile effect generated by the haptic module153 may be vibration. Strength, pattern and the like of the vibrationgenerated by the haptic module 153 may be controllable by a userselection or setting of the controller. For example, the haptic module153 may output different vibrations in a combining manner or asequential manner.

Besides vibration, the haptic module 153 can generate various othertactile effects, including an effect by stimulation such as a pinarrangement vertically moving with respect to a contact skin, a sprayforce or suction force of air through a jet orifice or a suctionopening, a touch on the skin, a contact of an electrode, electrostaticforce, etc., an effect by reproducing the sense of cold and warmth usingan element that can absorb or generate heat, and the like.

The haptic module 153 may be implemented to allow the user to feel atactile effect through a muscle sensation such as the user's fingers orarm, as well as transferring the tactile effect through a directcontact. Two or more haptic modules 153 may be provided according to theconfiguration of the mobile terminal 100.

An optical output module 154 can output a signal for indicating an eventgeneration using light of a light source. Examples of events generatedin the mobile terminal 100 include a message reception, a call signalreception, a missed call, an alarm, a schedule notice, an emailreception, an information reception through an application, and thelike.

A signal output by the optical output module 154 may be implemented sothe mobile terminal emits monochromatic light or light with a pluralityof colors. The signal output may be terminated as the mobile terminalsenses a user's event checking.

The interface unit 160 serves as an interface with every external deviceconnected with the mobile terminal 100. For example, the interface unit160 may receive data transmitted from an external device, receive powerto transfer to each element within the mobile terminal 100, or transmitinternal data of the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. Forexample, the interface unit 160 may include wired or wireless headsetports, external power supply ports, wired or wireless data ports, memorycard ports, ports for connecting a device having an identificationmodule, audio input/output (I/O) ports, video I/O ports, earphone ports,or the like.

The identification module may be a chip that stores various informationfor authenticating authority of using the mobile terminal 100 and mayinclude a user identity module (UIM), a subscriber identity module(SIM), a universal subscriber identity module (USIM), and the like. Inaddition, the device having the identification module (referred to as‘identifying device’, hereinafter) may take the form of a smart card.Accordingly, the identifying device may be connected with the terminal100 via the interface unit 160.

When the mobile terminal 100 is connected with an external cradle, theinterface unit 160 may serve as a passage to allow power from the cradleto be supplied to the mobile terminal 100 therethrough or may serve as apassage to allow various command signals input by the user from thecradle to be transferred to the mobile terminal therethrough. Variouscommand signals or power input from the cradle may operate as signalsfor recognizing that the mobile terminal is properly mounted on thecradle.

The memory 170 can store programs for operations of the controller 180and temporarily store input/output data (for example, phonebook,messages, still images, videos, etc.). The memory 170 may store datarelated to various patterns of vibrations and audio which are output inresponse to touch inputs on the touch screen.

The memory 170 may include at least one type of storage medium includinga Flash memory, a hard disk, a multimedia card micro type, a card-typememory (e.g., SD or DX memory, etc), a Random Access Memory (RAM), aStatic Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), anElectrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), aProgrammable Read-Only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magneticdisk, and an optical disk. Also, the mobile terminal 100 may be operatedin relation to a web storage device that performs the storage functionof the memory 170 over the Internet.

As aforementioned, the controller 180 can typically control the generaloperations of the mobile terminal 100. For example, the controller 180can set or release a lock state for restricting a user from inputting acontrol command with respect to applications when a status of the mobileterminal meets a preset condition.

The controller 180 can also perform controlling and processingassociated with voice calls, data communications, video calls, and thelike, or perform pattern recognition processing to recognize ahandwriting input or a picture drawing input performed on the touchscreen as characters or images, respectively. In addition, thecontroller 180 can control one or a combination of those components inorder to implement various embodiment disclosed herein on the mobileterminal 100.

The power supply unit 190 can receive external power or internal powerand supply appropriate power required for operating respective elementsand components included in the mobile terminal 100 under the control ofthe controller 180. The power supply unit 190 may include a battery. Thebattery may be an embedded battery which is rechargeable or bedetachably coupled to the terminal body for charging.

The power supply unit 190 may also include a connection port. Theconnection port may be configured as one example of the interface unit160 to which an external (re)charger for supplying power to recharge thebattery is electrically connected. As another example, the power supplyunit 190 may be configured to recharge the battery in a wireless mannerwithout use of the connection port. Here, the power supply unit 190 mayreceive power, transferred from an external wireless power transmitter,using at least one of an inductive coupling method which is based onmagnetic induction or a magnetic resonance coupling method which isbased on electromagnetic resonance.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in acomputer-readable or its similar medium using, for example, software,hardware, or any combination thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 1B and 1C, the mobile terminal 100 disclosed hereinmay be provided with a bar-type terminal body. However, the presentinvention is not limited to this, but is also applicable to variousstructures such as watch type, clip type, glasses type or folder type,flip type, slide type, swing type, swivel type, or the like, in whichtwo and more bodies are combined with each other in a relatively movablemanner.

The mobile terminal 100 may include a case (casing, housing, cover,etc.) forming the appearance of the terminal. In this embodiment, thecase may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Variouselectronic components may be incorporated into a space formed betweenthe front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one middle case maybe additionally disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case102

A display unit 151 may be disposed on a front surface of the terminalbody to output information. As illustrated, a window 151 a of thedisplay unit 151 may be mounted to the front case 101 so as to form thefront surface of the terminal body together with the front case 101.

In some instances, electronic components may also be mounted to the rearcase 102. Examples of those electronic components mounted to the rearcase 102 may include a detachable battery, an identification module, amemory card and the like. Here, a rear cover 103 for covering theelectronic components mounted may be detachably coupled to the rear case102. Therefore, when the rear cover 103 is detached from the rear case102, the electronic components mounted to the rear case 102 may beexternally exposed.

As illustrated, when the rear cover 103 is coupled to the rear case 102,a side surface of the rear case 102 may be partially exposed. In somecases, upon the coupling, the rear case 102 may also be completelyshielded by the rear cover 103. Further, the rear cover 103 may includean opening for externally exposing a camera 121 b or an audio outputmodule 152 b. The cases 101, 102, 103 may be formed by injection-moldingsynthetic resin or may be formed of a metal, for example, stainlesssteel (STS), titanium (Ti), or the like.

Unlike the example which the plurality of cases form an inner space foraccommodating such various components, the mobile terminal 100 may beconfigured such that one case forms the inner space. In this example, amobile terminal 100 having a uni-body formed so synthetic resin or metalextends from a side surface to a rear surface may also be implemented.

Further, the mobile terminal 100 may include a waterproofing unit forpreventing an introduction of water into the terminal body. For example,the waterproofing unit may include a waterproofing member which islocated between the window 151 a and the front case 101, between thefront case 101 and the rear case 102, or between the rear case 102 andthe rear cover 103, to hermetically seal an inner space when those casesare coupled.

The mobile terminal 100 may include a display unit 151, first and secondaudio output modules 152 a and 152 b, a proximity sensor 141, anillumination sensor 142, an optical output module 154, first and secondcameras 121 a and 121 b, first and second manipulation units 123 a and123 b, a microphone 122, an interface unit 160 and the like.

Hereinafter, description will be given of a mobile terminal 100 that thedisplay unit 151, the first audio output module 152 a, the proximitysensor 141, the illumination sensor 142, the optical output module 154,the first camera 121 a and the first manipulation unit 123 a aredisposed on the front surface of the terminal body, the secondmanipulation unit 123 b, the microphone 122 and the interface unit 160are disposed on a side surface of the terminal body, and the secondaudio output module 152 b and the second camera 121 b are disposed on arear surface of the terminal body, with reference to FIGS. 1B and 1C.

Here, those components are not limited to this arrangement, but may beexcluded or arranged on another surface if necessary. For example, thefirst manipulation unit 123 a may not be disposed on the front surfaceof the terminal body, and the second audio output module 152 b may bedisposed on the side surface other than the rear surface of the terminalbody.

The display unit 151 can output information processed in the mobileterminal 100. For example, the display unit 151 may display executionscreen information of an application program driven in the mobileterminal 100 or user interface (UI) and graphic user interface (GUI)information in response to the execution screen information.

The display unit 151 may include at least one of a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD),an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, a3-dimensional (3D) display, and an e-ink display. The display unit 151may be implemented in two or more in number according to a configuredaspect of the mobile terminal 100. For instance, a plurality of thedisplay units 151 may be arranged on one surface to be spaced apart fromor integrated with each other, or may be arranged on different surfaces.

The display unit 151 may include a touch sensor which senses a touchonto the display unit so as to receive a control command in a touchingmanner. When a touch is input to the display unit 151, the touch sensormay be configured to sense this touch and the controller 180 cangenerate a control command corresponding to the touch. The content whichis input in the touching manner may be a text or numerical value, or amenu item which can be indicated or designated in various modes.

The touch sensor may be configured in a form of film having a touchpattern. The touch sensor may be a metal wire, which is disposed betweenthe window 151 a and a display on a rear surface of the window 151 a orpatterned directly on the rear surface of the window 151 a. Or, thetouch sensor may be integrally formed with the display. For example, thetouch sensor may be disposed on a substrate of the display or within thedisplay.

The display unit 151 may form a touch screen together with the touchsensor. Here, the touch screen may serve as the user input unit 123 (seeFIG. 1A). Therefore, the touch screen may replace at least some offunctions of the first manipulation unit 123 a.

The first audio output module 152 a may be implemented in the form of areceiver for transferring voice sounds to the user's ear or a loudspeaker for outputting various alarm sounds or multimedia reproductionsounds. The window 151 a of the display unit 151 may include a soundhole for emitting sounds generated from the first audio output module152 a. Here, the present invention may not be limited to this. It mayalso be configured such that the sounds are released along an assemblygap between the structural bodies (for example, a gap between the window151 a and the front case 101). In this instance, a hole independentlyformed to output audio sounds may not be seen or hidden in terms ofappearance, thereby further simplifying the appearance of the mobileterminal 100.

The optical output module 154 can output light for indicating an eventgeneration. Examples of the event generated in the mobile terminal 100include a message reception, a call signal reception, a missed call, analarm, a schedule notice, an email reception, information receptionthrough an application, and the like. When a user's event checking issensed, the controller 180 can control the optical output unit 154 tostop the output of the light.

The first camera 121 a can process video frames such as still or movingimages obtained by the image sensor in a video call mode or a capturemode. The processed video frames may then be displayed on the displayunit 151 or stored in the memory 170.

The first and second manipulation units 123 a and 123 b are examples ofthe user input unit 123, which may be manipulated by a user to input acommand for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. Thefirst and second manipulation units 123 a and 123 b may also be commonlyreferred to as a manipulating portion, and may employ any method if itis a tactile manner allowing the user to perform manipulation with atactile feeling such as touch, push, scroll or the like.

The drawings illustrate the first manipulation unit 123 a is a touchkey, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, thefirst manipulation unit 123 a may be configured with a mechanical key,or a combination of a touch key and a push key.

The content received by the first and second manipulation units 123 aand 123 b may be set in various ways. For example, the firstmanipulation unit 123 a may be used by the user to input a command suchas menu, home key, cancel, search, or the like, and the secondmanipulation unit 123 b may be used by the user to input a command, suchas controlling a volume level being output from the first or secondaudio output module 152 a or 152 b, switching into a touch recognitionmode of the display unit 151, or the like.

Further, as another example of the user input unit 123, a rear inputunit may be disposed on the rear surface of the terminal body. The rearinput unit may be manipulated by a user to input a command forcontrolling an operation of the mobile terminal 100. The content inputmay be set in various ways. For example, the rear input unit may be usedby the user to input a command, such as power on/off, start, end, scrollor the like, controlling a volume level being output from the first orsecond audio output module 152 a or 152 b, switching into a touchrecognition mode of the display unit 151, or the like. The rear inputunit may be implemented into a form allowing a touch input, a push inputor a combination thereof.

The rear input unit may be disposed to overlap the display unit 151 ofthe front surface in a thickness direction of the terminal body. As oneexample, the rear input unit may be disposed on an upper end portion ofthe rear surface of the terminal body such that a user can easilymanipulate it using a forefinger when the user grabs the terminal bodywith one hand. However, the present invention may not be limited tothis, and the position of the rear input unit may be changeable.

When the rear input unit is disposed on the rear surface of the terminalbody, a new user interface can be implemented using the rear input unit.Also, the aforementioned touch screen or the rear input unit cansubstitute for at least part of functions of the first manipulation unit123 a located on the front surface of the terminal body. Accordingly,when the first manipulation unit 123 a is not disposed on the frontsurface of the terminal body, the display unit 151 may be implemented tohave a larger screen.

Further, the mobile terminal 100 may include a finger scan sensor whichscans a user's fingerprint. The controller 180 can use fingerprintinformation sensed by the finger scan sensor as an authenticationmechanism. The finger scan sensor may be installed in the display unit151 or the user input unit 123.

The microphone 122 may be formed to receive the user's voice, othersounds, and the like. The microphone 122 may be provided at a pluralityof places, and configured to receive stereo sounds. Further, theinterface unit 160 may serve as a path allowing the mobile terminal 100to exchange data with external devices. For example, the interface unit160 may be at least one of a connection terminal for connecting toanother device (for example, an earphone, an external speaker, or thelike), a port for near field communication (for example, an InfraredData Association (IrDA) port, a Bluetooth port, a wireless LAN port, andthe like), or a power supply terminal for supplying power to the mobileterminal 100. The interface unit 160 may be implemented in the form of asocket for accommodating an external card, such as SubscriberIdentification Module (SIM), User Identity Module (UIM), or a memorycard for information storage.

The second camera 121 b may be further mounted to the rear surface ofthe terminal body. The second camera 121 b may have an image capturingdirection, which is substantially opposite to the direction of the firstcamera unit 121 a. The second camera 121 b may include a plurality oflenses arranged along at least one line. The plurality of lenses mayalso be arranged in a matrix configuration. The cameras may be referredto as an ‘array camera.’ When the second camera 121 b is implemented asthe array camera, images may be captured in various manners using theplurality of lenses and images with better qualities may be obtained.

A flash 124 may be disposed adjacent to the second camera 121 b. When animage of a subject is captured with the camera 121 b, the flash 124 mayilluminate the subject. The second audio output module 152 b may furtherbe disposed on the terminal body. The second audio output module 152 bmay implement stereophonic sound functions in conjunction with the firstaudio output module 152 a (refer to FIG. 1A), and may be also used forimplementing a speaker phone mode for call communication.

At least one antenna for wireless communication may be disposed on theterminal body. The antenna may be installed in the terminal body orformed on the case. For example, an antenna which configures a part ofthe broadcast receiving module 111 may be retractable into the terminalbody. Alternatively, an antenna may be formed in a form of film to beattached onto an inner surface of the rear cover 103 or a case includinga conductive material may serve as an antenna.

A power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100may be disposed on the terminal body. The power supply unit 190 mayinclude a batter 191 which is mounted in the terminal body or detachablycoupled to an outside of the terminal body.

The battery 191 may receive power via a power source cable connected tothe interface unit 160. Also, the battery 191 may be (re)chargeable in awireless manner using a wireless charger. The wireless charging may beimplemented by magnetic induction or electromagnetic resonance.

Further, the drawing illustrates that the rear cover 103 is coupled tothe rear case 102 for shielding the battery 191, so as to preventseparation of the battery 191 and protect the battery 191 from anexternal impact or foreign materials. When the battery 191 is detachablefrom the terminal body, the rear case 103 may be detachably coupled tothe rear case 102.

An accessory for protecting an appearance or assisting or extending thefunctions of the mobile terminal 100 may further be provided on themobile terminal 100. As one example of the accessory, a cover or pouchfor covering or accommodating at least one surface of the mobileterminal 100 may be provided. The cover or pouch may cooperate with thedisplay unit 151 to extend the function of the mobile terminal 100.Another example of the accessory may be a touch pen for assisting orextending a touch input onto a touch screen.

Referring to FIG. 1D, a unit capable of creating the touch display unit151 may be formed on the front case 101. The display unit 151 may beformed in a plate shape corresponding to the unit. The display unit 151according to an embodiment of the present invention may include atransparent window unit 151 a formed with a tempered glass or the liketo constitute an external appearance of the mobile terminal 100, and adisplay unit 151 b formed at a lower portion of the window unit todisplay visual information through the window unit. The touch displayunit 151 may further include a touch sensing unit for sensing a user'stouch input.

A printed circuit board is mounted within the terminal body, and aplurality of electronic components for operating the functions of themobile terminal are mounted on the printed circuit board. A region ofthe window unit 151 a for displaying the visual information of thedisplay unit 151 b may be formed in a transparent manner, and is definedas a display region of the display. The remaining region surrounding thedisplay region may be formed in a non-transparent manner to hide themounted components therein and is defined as a surrounding region.

An audio output hole through which audio output from the first audiooutput unit 153 a passes and a camera hole 121 a′ through which captureinformation passes toward the first camera 121 a are formed on thesurrounding region. A printed circuit board 282 is also shown.

The touch sensing unit contained in the touch display unit 151 senses auser's touch input applied to the window unit 151 a of the touch displayunit 151. The touch sensing unit may sense a touch pressure pressing thetouch display unit 151 along with a region (i.e., touch coordinates) onwhich the touch input is applied to the window unit 151 a.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a touch sensing unit formed to sensetouch coordinates and a touch pressure according to a user's touch inputwill be described with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2(a) is a conceptual view illustrating a touch sensing method of atouch sensing unit for sensing touch coordinates and a touch pressureaccording to an embodiment. As shown, the touch sensing unit accordingto an embodiment includes a first input electrode pattern (Tx_XY), asecond input electrode pattern (Tx_Z) and an output electrode pattern(Rx). The first input electrode pattern (Tx_XY), second input electrodepattern (Tx_Z) and output electrode pattern (Rx) are formed toconstitute different layers, and the output electrode pattern (Rx) isformed between the first and the second input electrode pattern (Tx_XY,Tx_Z).

A current delivered from the first and the second input electrodepattern (Tx_XY, Tx_Z) is output. The current is delivered to the circuitboard 282 via a flexible circuit board 283 to generate a control signal.Accordingly, it is possible to sense a touch input according to a changeof current being output to the output electrode pattern (Rx).

For example, referring to FIG. 1B, when a conductor such as a finger 10(or touch pen) is located adjacent to the touch display unit 151, apartial current of the first input electrode pattern (Tx_XY) isdelivered to the finger or the like, thereby varying a current valuebeing output by the output electrode pattern (Rx). However, a current isunable to flow through a non-conductor 20, and thus the touch sensingunit cannot calculate the touch coordinates of the non-conductor 20.

The first input electrode pattern (Tx_XY) may be formed with a pluralityof electrode lines extended in a first direction (D1), and the outputelectrode pattern (Rx) may be formed with a plurality of electrode linesextended in a second direction (D2). The first and the second direction(D1, D2) are substantially perpendicular to each other, and thus thetouch sensing unit can calculate touch coordinates using the first inputelectrode pattern (Tx_XY) and the output electrode pattern (Rx).

Further, the second input electrode pattern (Tx_Z) is formed of aplurality of electrode lines extended in the first direction (D1). Here,the electrode lines are formed by depositing indium tin oxide (ITO) onone surface of a base substrate or another constituent elementconstituting the touch display unit 151. The electrode patterns may beformed with a sputtering technique.

The second input electrode pattern (Tx_Z) is disposed to vary a distanceto the output electrode pattern (Rx) by an external force delivered fromthe window unit 151 a. Referring to FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), when a distancebetween the second input electrode pattern (Tx_Z) and the outputelectrode pattern (Rx) is relatively farther away, current is not outputthrough the output electrode pattern (Rx) from the second inputelectrode pattern (Tx_Z). However, when the second input electrodepattern (Tx_Z) is close to the output electrode pattern (Rx), thecurrent of the second input electrode pattern (Tx_Z) as well as thecurrent of the first input electrode pattern (Tx_XY) are output throughthe output electrode pattern (Rx). Accordingly, when the current of thefirst and the second input electrode pattern (Tx_XY, Tx_Z) is outputusing the output electrode pattern (Rx), the touch sensing unit cansense the touch coordinates and touch pressure of the touch input.

Further, to the extent that the second input electrode pattern (Tx_Z) isclose to the output electrode pattern (Rx), an amount of current outputthrough the output electrode pattern (Rx) increases, thereby allowingthe touch sensing unit to sense a level of the touch pressure and achange of the touch pressure. In other words, according to an embodimentof the present embodiment, the output electrode pattern (Rx) is formedto output both currents of the first and the second input electrodepattern (Tx_XY, Tx_Z). However, the touch sensing unit may include oneinput electrode pattern and two output electrode patterns. In otherwords, two output electrode patterns may be disposed by interposing theinput electrode pattern therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the touch sensing unit may sense a touch pressureapplied to the touch display unit using the non-conductor 20.Accordingly, a mobile terminal according to the present embodiment cansense a touch pressure using a non-conductor as well as touchcoordinates and a touch pressure sensed by a conductor. A touch sensingunit according to the present invention is also applicable to varioustypes of touch display units.

Hereinafter, the structure and control method of a touch display unitfor sensing a touch input according to the present invention will bedescribed. In particular, FIG. 3A is a partial cross-sectional viewillustrating the structure of a touch display unit 510 according to anembodiment. Here, the touch display unit 510 may include a display unitfor displaying visual information and a touch sensing unit for sensing auser's touch input. The display unit and the touch sensing unit may beformed in one configuration or integrally formed by an adhesive member.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the touch display unit 510 includes adisplay panel 511, a deformation region 512, a window 513 and a touchsensing unit 514. The display panel 511 may be implemented with a liquidcrystal display (LCD). The display panel 511 can also be disposed withinthe terminal body to emit light based on an electrical signal accordingto a user's control command. Visual information is displayed using thedisplay panel 511.

The window 513 is formed on the display panel 511 to constitute anexternal appearance of the mobile terminal body. The window 513 maydirectly receive a user's touch input, and be made of a tempered glass.The window 513 is preferably formed of a material that can be deformed(or warped) when a pressure greater than a preset reference value isapplied by the user.

The deformation region 512 is formed between the window 513 and thedisplay panel 511. The deformation region 512 is formed such that partof the deformation region 512 is deformable by an external force appliedto the window 513. The deformation region 512 may be formed of a liquidlayer such as water, alcohol or the like, a gas layer such as helium,air or the like, or a gel. However, when the deformation region 512 isformed of a gas or the like, a space formed by the gas is compressed bythe external force or the gas is leaked into a specific space, and thusthe deformation of other constituent elements constituting the touchdisplay unit 510 occurs in a relative manner by the external force. Inparticular, constituent elements (the window 513, a first and a secondsensing layer 514 a, 514 b in FIG. 3A) disposed adjacent to a region(i.e., external appearance of the mobile terminal) to which the externalforce is applied are deformed based on the deformation region 512.

The touch sensing unit 514 may include a coordinate sensing unit forsensing a touch position (a coordinate point on the touch display unit151) on the window 513 at which the capacitance is changed by a user'sfinger 10 applied to the window 513 and a pressure sensing unit forsensing a change of capacitance due to the deformation of the window 513to recognize a touch pressure.

The touch sensing unit 514 includes a first sensing layer 514 a, asecond sensing layer 514 b, and a third sensing layer 514 c. The firstsensing layer 514 a serves as an output electrode pattern (Rx) which isa current output stage, and the second and the third sensing layer 514b, 514 c functions as a touch layer (Tx) which is a current input stage.A current is applied to the second and the third sensing layer 514 b,514 c and the applied current is output through the first sensing layer514 a.

The second sensing layer 514 b is formed at a lower portion of thewindow 513, and the first sensing layer 514 a is formed at a lowerportion of the second sensing layer 514 b. When the user's finger istouched on the window 513, an electric field is formed by the finger,and the formation of the electric field is sensed by a change ofcapacitance output through the first sensing layer 514 a.

The first sensing layer 514 a and the second sensing layer 514 b areformed of a plurality of sensing lines, respectively, and the sensinglines of the first sensing layer 514 a may be extended perpendicular tothe sensing lines of the 514 b. Accordingly, a capacitance is formed ateach position at which the sensing lines are crossed with each other.The first and the second sensing layer 514 a, 514 b sense a touchposition at which a change of capacitance has occurred. Consequently,the controller 180 can recognize touch coordinates that have received auser's touch input on the touch display unit 151.

The deformation region 512 and the third sensing layer 514 c aredisposed between the first sensing layer 514 a and the display panel511. The third sensing layer 514 c is formed adjacent to the displaypanel 511, and the deformation region 512 is formed between the firstand the second sensing layer 514 a, 514 b. The deformation region 512 isformed with a preset thickness. For example, the deformation region 512is formed of a preset thickness when the deformation region 512 isformed of a solid, and a space between the first and the third sensinglayer 514 a, 154 c is formed with a preset thickness when thedeformation region 512 is formed of a liquid or gas.

Accordingly, the first and the second sensing layer 514 a, 514 b areadjacent to each other, and the first and the third sensing layer 514 a,154 c are disposed to be separated from each other by the deformationregion 512 in a relative manner. As a result, a current delivered fromthe second sensing layer 514 b is output through the first sensing layer514 a, but most of the current delivered from the third sensing layer514 c is not delivered to the first sensing layer 514 a.

In this instance, the third sensing layer 514 c can function as a ground(GND) to reduce the noise of the touch sensing unit due to a currentgenerated from the display panel 511. Accordingly, when an externalforce above a preset intensity threshold is not applied to the window513 and thus the deformation region 512 is not deformed, only a changeof capacitance on the first and the second sensing layer 514 a, 514 boccurs due to a thickness of the deformation region 512.

Further, referring to FIG. 3B, when an external force above a presetvalue is applied to the window 513, a region of the window 513 isdeformed. As a result, a force is delivered to the deformation region512 to deform one region of the deformation region 512, and reduce athickness of said one region of the deformation region 512 due to theexternal force.

When the first and the second sensing layer 514 a, 514 b are deformedalong with the deformation region 512 (meanwhile, if a thickness of thedeformation region 512 is reduced when the deformation region 512 isformed of a solid), a distance between the first and the third sensinglayer 514 a, 154 c decreases. As a result, a current is output throughthe first sensing layer 514 a from the third sensing layer 514 c.

As increasing the external force, one region of the first sensing layer514 a is deformed to draw close to the third sensing layer 514 c alongwith the window 513. Accordingly, an amount of current being output fromthe third sensing layer 514 c to the first sensing layer 514 aincreases. In other words, a change of touch pressure can be sensedaccording to an amount of current and a change of the amount of currentbeing output from the third sensing layer 514 c to the first sensinglayer 514 a.

Since a finger is continuously touched on the window 513 while sensing acurrent being output from the third sensing layer 514 c to the 514 a,the controller 180 can sense the touch coordinates and touch pressure ofa touch input applied to the window 513 at the same time. In otherwords, the touch display unit 510 is formed such that the second sensinglayer 514 b senses the XY coordinates of the touch input along with thefirst sensing layer 514 a (Tx-XY), and the third sensing layer 514 csenses the Z coordinate of the touch input along with the first sensinglayer 514 a (Tx-Z). Accordingly, the touch sensing unit can sense auser's three-dimensional touch input.

Furthermore, according to the touch sensing unit according to thepresent invention, the deformation region 512 may be deformed inresponse to the external force, thereby sensing a change of the externalforce.

Further, referring to FIGS. 1B and 3A, even when the window 513 ispressurized by the non-conductor 20 that cannot change an amount ofcurrent being output through the first and the second sensing layer 514a, 514 b, it is possible to sense the external force. Specifically, whenthe window 513 and the deformation region 512 are deformed by thenon-conductor 20, the controller 180 can sense it due to a change of theamount of current delivered between the first and the third sensinglayer 514 a, 154 c.

Further, the deformation region 512 is formed such that the shape isrestored as releasing the external force. The deformation region 512 isrestored to its original state by an elastic force to be restored to theoriginal shape of the window 513 or an elastic force of the materialitself constituting the deformation region 512. As a result, the usermay exert a force while applying a touch input to one region to formvarious control commands based on the touch region and touch pressure.

Next, FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a method of driving sensing layersalternately activated according to an embodiment. The first sensinglayer 514 a is activated all the time during the first through thefourth frames (F1, F2, F3, F4). The second sensing layer 514 b isactivated (ON) during the first and the third frame (F1, F3), anddeactivated (OFF) during the second and the fourth frame (F2, F4).Meanwhile, the third sensing layer 514 c is activated (ON) during thesecond and the fourth frame (F2, F4), and deactivated (OFF) during thefirst and the third frame (F1, F3).

In other words, the second and the third sensing layer 514 b, 514 c arealternately activated to output a current through the first sensinglayer 514 a. Accordingly, the first sensing layer 514 a is driven tooutput a current through one of the second and the third sensing layer514 b, 514 c for each frame. As a result, the confusion of a currentdelivered from the second and the third sensing layer 514 b, 514 c canbe minimized.

Further, when the second and the third sensing layer 514 b, 514 c are inan inactive state, namely, when a signal based on the touch input is notgenerated, the second and the third sensing layer 514 b, 514 c may beconnected to the ground (GND) to perform a function of blocking thenoise of the display panel 511. Accordingly, the controller 180 can moreaccurately sense the touch coordinates and touch pressure, and form theresultant control command.

Next, FIGS. 5A and 5B are conceptual views illustrating a method ofcompensating a touch pressure based on a region to which a touch inputis applied. In particular, FIG. 5A is a conceptual view illustratingtouch input differences according to a region to which the touch inputis applied.

For example, FIGS. 5A(a) and 5A(b) are conceptual views illustrating anexternal force applied to another region of the window to generate thesame touch input. FIG. 5A(a) is a view illustrating a degree ofdeformation of the window 513 when a first force (F) is applied to afirst region which is a central region of the window 513. FIG. 5A(b) isa view illustrating a degree of deformation of the window 513 when asecond force (F) is applied to a second region which is adjacent to anedge of the window 513. The degree of deformation is substantially thesame in FIGS. 5A(a) and 5A(b). However, the second force applied to thesecond region corresponds to a force greater than the first forceapplied to the first region. For example, the second force maycorrespond to a pressure which is two times greater than that of thefirst force.

As illustrated in FIG. 5A(c), even when substantially the same externalforce is applied to the window, the controller 180 can sense it as alarger touch pressure when an external force which is the same as thatapplied to the edge region is applied a central region thereof.According to the present embodiment, a control command is formed basedon a compensation pressure for which the touch pressure is compensatedaccording to a region to which the touch input is applied.

In more detail, FIG. 5B is a flow chart illustrating a method ofcalculating the compensation pressure. Referring to FIG. 5B, the touchsensing unit 514 senses a touch input applied to the window. Thecontroller 180 senses touch coordinates and a touch pressure using thetouch sensing unit 514 (S11).

The controller 180 selects a preset pressure compensation valuecorresponding to the touch coordinates (S12), and calculates acompensation pressure based on the pressure compensation value (S13).For example, the pressure compensation value may correspond to anincreasing value as the touch coordinates are farther away from thecentral portion of the window, and the compensation pressure maycorrespond to a pressure value for which the pressure compensation valueis added to the touch pressure. As a result, the touch pressure of atouch input for which substantially the same pressure is applied todifferent regions may be calculated in a substantially the same manner.

Accordingly, along with the touch coordinates of a touch input on thetouch display unit 151, a touch pressure compensated by the touchcoordinates is sensed at the same time, thereby generating an accuratecontrol command using the touch coordinates and compensation pressure.

A touch display unit according to an embodiment for sensing a user'stouch input containing the coordinate information and pressureinformation by the first through the third sensing layers 514 a, 514 b,514 c formed between the display panel 511, the deformation region 512and the window 513, respectively, has been described. Hereinafter, atouch display unit including a configuration for sensing a change ofcapacitance according to the user's touch and sensing a pressure due tothe deformation of a deformation region according to a pressure will bedescribed according to another embodiment.

A mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present inventionmay further include a driving circuit for generating a signal due to atouch input using the touch sensing unit. The driving circuit mayinclude an input stage driving circuit and an output stage drivingcircuit. The input stage driving circuit transmits a channel signal toan input stage formed with the plurality of sensing lines. The drivingcircuit according to the present invention transmits the input stagechannel signal to the plurality of sensing lines, respectively, atsubstantially the same time. The channel signal entered to the pluralityof sensing lines, respectively, may correspond to a signal modulatedaccording to each sensing line.

As a result, it is possible to sense a touch input at a faster speedthan that of the technology in which channel signals are sequentiallysupplied to each sensing line to sense the touch input. Accordingly,even when the sensing layers are alternately activated, the sensingspeed of a touch input is not delayed.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are partial cross-sectional views of FIG. 2, which arecut along line A-A to illustrate a touch display unit including a touchsensing unit formed on a liquid crystal display panel according toanother embodiment. A touch display unit according to the presentembodiment may be applicable to a touch display unit in which part ofthe touch sensing unit is integrally formed with the windowcorresponding to the a cover glass of the mobile terminal.

A touch display unit 520 according to FIG. 6A(a) and (b) includes adisplay panel 521, a deformation region 522, and a touch sensing unit524. The display panel 521 and the deformation region 522 aresubstantially the same as the display panel 511 and the deformationregion 512, respectively, in FIG. 3A. Accordingly, the description ofthe display panel 521 and the deformation region 522 will be substitutedby the description of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

The deformation region 522 is formed on the display panel 521. The touchsensing unit 524 includes a first through a third sensing layer 524 a,524 b, 524 c. The first sensing layer 524 a serves as a touch outputlayer (Rx) which is an output stage of current, and the second and thethird sensing layer 524 b, 524 c serve as a touch input layer (Tx) whichis an input stage of current.

The third sensing layer 524 c is formed between the deformation region522 and the display panel 521. The first sensing layer 524 a is formedon the deformation region 522. Accordingly, a distance between thesecond and the third sensing layer 524 b, 524 c decreases as shown inFIG. 6A(b), and a current of the third sensing layer 524 c is output tothe first sensing layer 524 a. In other words, the third sensing layer524 c senses the touch pressure along with the first sensing layer 524a.

The second sensing layer 524 b includes a window and a touch sensingline constituting an external appearance of the terminal. In otherwords, a plurality of touch sensing lines are formed on one surface ofthe base substrate (glass substrate) constituting the window, facing thefirst sensing layer 524 a. For example, for the second sensing layer 524b, a conductive material (for example, ITO) is deposited on the basesubstrate, and thus the touch sensing lines and window are formed intoan integral body.

In other words, a current is output from the touch sensing line of thesecond sensing layer 524 b to the first sensing layer 524 a. In otherwords, the second sensing layer 524 b can sense the touch coordinates ofa user's touch input applied to the window along with the first sensinglayer 524 a.

The touch display unit 530 in FIG. 6B(a) and (b) includes a displaypanel 531, a deformation region 532, a window 533 and a touch sensingunit 534. The display panel 531, the window 533 and the touch sensingunit 534 are sequentially deposited. The display panel 531, thedeformation region 532 and the window 533 are substantially the same asthe display panel 511, the deformation region 512 and the deformationregion 512 in FIG. 3A, and the description thereof will be substitutedby the description of FIG. 3A.

The touch sensing unit 534 is formed between the window 533 and thedeformation region 532. The touch sensing unit 534 includes a first anda second touch sensing line. The first and the second touch sensing linemay be configured with a plurality of sensing lines formed in oppositedirections to each other.

For example, the touch sensing unit 534 may include a base substrate, afirst touch sensing line deposited in a first direction on one surfaceof the base substrate, and a second touch sensing line deposited in asecond direction perpendicular to the first direction on the othersurface of the base substrate. The first and the second touch sensingline may be formed of a metal material (ITO). However, the structure inwhich the first and the second touch sensing line are formed on the basesubstrate may not be necessarily limited to this.

In other words, the touch sensing unit 534 includes both a currentoutput stage and a current input stage. The first touch sensing line maybe a current output stage, and the second touch sensing line may be acurrent input stage. The touch sensing unit 534 senses the touchcoordinates of a touch input applied to the touch display unit 530.

When an external force is applied to the touch display unit 530, thetouch sensing unit 534 is deformed as shown in FIG. 6B(b). One region ofthe deformation region 532 is deformed by the touch sensing unit 534.When the thickness of the deformation region 532 decreases, a currentgenerated from the display panel 531 is output through the output stageof the touch sensing unit 534. As decreasing the thickness of thedeformation region 532, an amount of current being output to the outputstage of the touch sensing unit 534 from the display panel 531increases. Accordingly, the controller 180 can sense a change of touchpressure applied by an external force.

According to the present embodiment, a noise current generated from thedisplay panel instead of a sensing line corresponding to the input stagemay be sensed to sense the touch pressure. Accordingly, it is possibleto decrease the thickness of the touch display unit.

Next, FIG. 7 is a conceptual view illustrating the structure of a touchdisplay unit according to still another embodiment. As shown in FIGS.7(a) and (b), a touch display unit 600 includes a flexible display panel610 and a touch sensing unit 620. The touch display unit 600 accordingto the present embodiment is configured to be deformable by an externalforce. Here, the deformation may be at least one of bending, warping,folding, twisting and curling.

The flexible display panel 610 may include a base substrate having adeformable glass material, and the thickness of the flexible displaypanel 610 decreases when an external force is applied in a directionperpendicular thereto. In other words, the flexible display panel 610functions as the deformation region.

The touch sensing unit 620 includes a first sensing layer 621 and asecond sensing layer 622. The first sensing layer 621 is formed on onesurface of the flexible display panel 610, and the second sensing layer622 is formed on the other surface of the flexible display panel 610.The first sensing layer 621 serves as a touch output layer (Rx) which isa current output stage, and the second sensing layer 622 serves as atouch input layer (Tx) which is a current input stage.

Further, the flexible display panel 610 may include a touch outputstage. The output stage is formed adjacent to the first sensing layer621. Accordingly, the touch coordinates of a touch input applied to thefirst sensing layer 621 is sensed. In addition, when the thickness ofthe flexible display panel 610 decreases by an external force, adistance between the first sensing layer 621 and the second sensinglayer 622 decreases, and the current is output from the second sensinglayer 622 to the first sensing layer 621. As a result, it is possible tosense the touch pressure.

If it is a display panel which is deformable by an external force, thereis no restriction on the type of display panels. Accordingly, theflexible display panel 610 may be implemented with a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) or organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel. In otherwords, it includes a structure in which a sensing line may be formed onboth surfaces of the display panel, and a window is formed on thesensing line.

Next, FIGS. 8A and 8B are conceptual views illustrating the structure ofa touch display unit in which a touch sensing line is formed on adisplay panel. A touch display unit according to the present embodimentmay be applicable to a touch display unit where part of the touchsensing unit is formed on a constituent element of the display panel fordisplaying visual information. In particular, it may be applicable to atouch display unit where a touch sensing unit is formed on a cell forcontrolling the transmission of light based on a signal applied to thedisplay panel.

As shown, a touch display unit 540 according to FIG. 8A(a) and (b)includes a display panel 541, a deformation region 542, a window 543 anda touch sensing unit 544. The window 543 and the deformation region 542are substantially the same as the window 543 and deformation region 512in FIG. 3A, and thus the redundant description will be substituted bythe description of FIG. 3A. The display panel 541 may include a thinfilm transistor (TFT) layer 541 a, a color filter layer 541 b and apolarizer layer 541 c.

The touch sensing unit 544 may include a first touch sensing line 544 a,a second touch sensing line 544 b, and a third touch sensing line 544 c.The first touch sensing line 544 a is formed on the color filter layer541 b. A metal layer (ITO) is deposited on one surface of the colorfilter layer 541 b. The first touch sensing line 544 a serves as a touchoutput layer (Rx) which is a current output stage.

The second touch sensing line 544 b is formed on an inner surface of thedisplay panel 541 with a method of depositing a metal layer (ITO). Thesecond touch sensing line 544 b serves as a touch input layer (Tx) whichis the current input stage. The third touch sensing line 544 c is formedon the TFT layer 541 a. For example, the third touch sensing line 544 cis formed on one surface of the TFT layer 541 a facing the color filterlayer 541 b. The third touch sensing line 544 c serves as a touch inputlayer (Tx) which is a current input stage.

According to the touch sensing unit 544 according to the presentembodiment, the touch sensing lines are formed on a constituent elementof the window and display panel and thus the touch sensing unit anddisplay panel are formed into an integral body with no additional basesubstrate for forming touch sensing lines.

The deformation region 542 is disposed between the display panel 541 andthe second touch sensing line 544 b. A current is output from the thirdtouch sensing line 544 c to the first touch sensing line 544 a. A smallamount of current is output from the second touch sensing line 544 b tothe first touch sensing line 544 a by a gap between the first touchsensing line 544 a and the second touch sensing line 544 b due to thedeformation region 542.

Further, when part of the second touch sensing line 544 b is deformed(moved) by an external force applied to the window 543, a gap betweenthe first and the second touch sensing line 544 a, 544 b decreases (inother words, the thickness of one region of the deformation region 542decreases). Accordingly, a current of the second touch sensing line 544b is output to the first touch sensing line 544 a. As a result, thethird touch sensing line 544 c senses touch coordinates along with thefirst touch sensing line 544 a, and the second touch sensing line 544 bsenses a touch pressure along with the first touch sensing line 544 a.

A touch display unit 550 according to FIG. 8B(a) and (b) includes adisplay panel 551, a deformation region 552, a window 553 and a touchsensing unit 554, and the display panel 551 may include a TFT layer 551a, a color filter layer 551 b and a polarizer layer 551 c. The displaypanel 551, deformation region 552 and window 553 are substantially thesame as the display panel 541, deformation region 542 and window 543.

The touch sensing unit 554 includes a first through a third touchsensing lines 554 a, 554 b, 554 c and a sensing layer 544 d. The firsttouch sensing line 554 a is formed on the color filter layer 551 b, andthe second touch sensing line 554 b is formed on an inner surface of thewindow 553, and the third touch sensing line 554 c is formed on the TFTlayer 551 a. The first through the third touch sensing lines 554 a, 554b, 554 c may be formed on the color filter layer 551 b, the window 553and the TFT layer 551 a with a method of depositing a conductivematerial (ITO).

The first and the second touch sensing line 554 a, 554 b serve as atouch output layer (Rx) which is a current output stage, and the thirdtouch sensing line 554 c and the sensing layer 544 d serve as a touchinput layer (Tx) which is a current input stage. The first and the thirdtouch sensing line 554 a, 554 c sense the touch coordinates of a user'stouch input.

The current output from the third touch sensing line 554 c is output tothe first touch sensing line 554 a. Furthermore, a current coming out ofthe first sensing layer 544 d is output to the first touch sensing line554 a disposed adjacent to the sensing layer 544 d.

The sensing layer 544 d is located adjacent to the second touch sensingline 554 b by an external force applied to the window 553 (in otherwords, the thickness of the deformation region 552 is deformed by anexternal force). Accordingly, a current is output from the sensing layer544 d to the second touch sensing line 554 b. As the sensing layer 544 ddraws close to the second touch sensing line 554 b, a larger amount ofcurrent is output to the second touch sensing line 554 b, and thus thecontroller 180 senses the touch pressure.

Next, FIGS. 9A and 9B are conceptual views illustrating a touch displayunit including a touch sensing unit formed on a display panel. A touchdisplay unit according to the present embodiment may be applicable to atouch display unit in such a type that a touch sensing unit is formedwithin a display panel for displaying visual information.

A touch display unit 560 in FIG. 9A(a) and (b) includes a display panel561, a deformation region 562 and a window 563. The display panel 561may be implemented with an LCD panel, and the display panel 561 mayinclude a TFT layer 561 a, a color filter layer 561 b and a polarizerlayer 561 c. The display panel 561, the deformation region 562 and thewindow 563 are substantially the same as the display panel 541,deformation region 542 and window 543 in FIG. 8A, and thus the redundantdescription will be substituted by the description of FIG. 8A.

The first and the second touch sensing line 564 a, 564 b are formed onone surface of the color filter layer 561 b. The first and the secondtouch sensing line 564 a, 564 b are configured with a plurality ofsensing lines, respectively, and the first and the second touch sensingline 564 a, 564 b are formed in directions crossed with each other. Aninsulating layer for insulating the first and the second touch sensingline 564 a, 564 b may be further formed in a region at which the firstand the second touch sensing line 564 a, 564 b are crossed andoverlapped with each other.

The third touch sensing line 564 c is formed at an inner surface of thewindow 563. The first through the third touch sensing lines 564 a, 564b, 564 v may be formed with a method of depositing a conductive material(ITO). The first touch sensing line 564 a serves as a touch output layer(Rx) which is a current output stage, and the second and the third touchsensing line 564 b, 564 c serve as a touch input layer (Tx) which is thecurrent input stage.

The third touch sensing line 564 c is disposed to be separated from thefirst touch sensing line 564 a due to the deformation region 562, andthus a current of the third touch sensing line 564 c is not output tothe first touch sensing line 564 a. The first and the second touchsensing line 564 a, 564 b sense the touch coordinates of a user's touchinput.

Further, a gap between the first and the third touch sensing line 564 a,564 c decreases by an external force applied to the window 563 (in otherwords, the thickness of the deformation region 562 decreases).Accordingly, the current of the third touch sensing line 564 c is outputthrough the first touch sensing line 564 a to sense a touch pressure ofthe touch input.

A touch display unit 570 in FIG. 9B(a) and (b) includes a display panel571, a deformation region 572 and a window 573, and they aresubstantially the same as the display panel 561, deformation region 562and window 563, and thus the redundant description will be substitutedby the description of FIG. 9A.

A touch sensing unit 574 according to the present embodiment may includea first through a third touch sensing lines 574 a, 574 b, 574 c and asensing layer 574 d. The first and the third touch sensing line 574 a,574 b are substantially the same as the first through the third touchsensing lines 574 a, 574 b, 574 c, and thus the redundant descriptionwill be omitted. The third touch sensing line 574 c serves as a touchoutput layer (Rx) which is a current output stage.

Further, the sensing layer 574 d is disposed on the polarizer layer 571c. The second sensing layer 574 d may be formed by depositing aconductive material (ITO) on the base substrate. The sensing layer 574 dserves as a touch input layer (Tx) which is a current input stage.

The first and the second touch sensing line 574 a, 574 b sense the touchcoordinates of a touch input. The 574 c and the sensing layer 574 d aredisposed to be separated from each other using the deformation region572. Meanwhile, when thickness of the deformation region 572 isdecreased by an external force applied to the window 573, a gap betweenthe third touch sensing line 574 c and sensing layer 574 d decreases. Acurrent is output from the sensing layer 574 d to the third touchsensing line 574 c, and accordingly, the controller 180 can sense thetouch pressure.

Next, FIGS. 10A and 10B are partial cross-sectional views of FIG. 2 cutalong line A-A to illustrate a touch display unit including an OLEDpanel. A touch display unit according to the present embodiment may beapplicable to a touch display unit in such a type that a touch sensingunit is formed within an OLED panel.

A touch display unit 580 according to FIG. 10A(a) and (b) includes adisplay panel 581, a deformation region 562, a window 563 and a touchsensing unit 564. A display panel 581 according to the presentembodiment corresponds to a display panel for displaying visualinformation including organic light emitting diodes. The display panel581 may include a TFT layer 581 a, an organic material layer 581 b and acolor filter layer 581 c. The organic material layer 581 b is formed bya process of preventing an external contact to an OLED organic materiallayer using an encapsulation technology.

The constituent elements excluding the touch display unit 581 of thetouch display unit 580 according to the present embodiment aresubstantially the same as those of the execution screen 560 in FIG. 9A.According to the present embodiment, the first and the second touchsensing line 564 a, 564 b sense touch coordinates and the third touchsensing line 564 c and the first touch sensing line 564 a sense a touchpressure.

A touch display unit 590 according to FIG. 10B(a) and (b) includes adisplay panel 591, a deformation region 572, a window 573 and a touchsensing unit 574. A display panel 591 according to the presentembodiment corresponds to a display panel for displaying visualinformation including organic light emitting diodes. The display panel591 may include a TFT layer 591 a, an organic material layer 591 b and acolor filter layer 591 c. The organic material layer 591 b is formed bya process of preventing an external contact to an OLED organic materiallayer using an encapsulation technology.

The constituent elements excluding the touch display unit 591 of thetouch display unit 590 according to the present embodiment aresubstantially the same as those of the execution screen 570 in FIG. 9B.According to the present embodiment, the first and the second touchsensing line 574 a, 574 b sense touch coordinates, and the sensing layer574 d and the third touch sensing line 574 c sense a touch pressure.

Next, FIG. 11 is a conceptual view illustrating a control method ofsensing touch coordinates and a touch pressure to form a controlcommand. Referring to FIG. 11(a), a user's touch applied to the touchdisplay unit 510 at a pressure less than a first reference pressure issensed as a touch for which the touch pressure is not sensed to form afirst control command corresponding to the touch coordinates.

Referring to FIG. 11(b), for a user's touch applied to the touch displayunit 510 at a touch pressure of the touch input which is greater than afirst reference pressure but less than a second reference pressure, itmay be possible to sense a touching period of time during which thetouch is applied. In other words, when the touch input persists, thecontroller 180 senses it as a touch input in a long touch manner.Accordingly, the controller 180 forms a second control command based ona touch input in a long touch manner excluding the touch pressure.

Referring to FIG. 11(c), when the touch pressure of the touch input isgreater than a second reference pressure, the controller 180 senses areference pressure of the touch input. In other words, when the touchpressure is sensed as a value greater than that of the second referencepressure, the controller 180 can form a third control command based onthe touch pressure and the touch coordinates.

In other words, the controller 180 can determine that an external forcehas been applied by a user only when a touch pressure greater than apreset second reference pressure, thereby forming a control commandcorresponding to the external force. Accordingly, a touch, a long touchinput and a touch input due to an external force may be distinguished toform a more accurate control command.

When sensed that a pressure greater than the second force has beenapplied to the window 513, the touch sensing unit 514 can sense thegradual pressures of the touch pressure based on the deformation of thefirst sensing layer 514 a due to the external force. For example, thetouch sensing unit 514 can sense it by distinguishing a first through athird touch pressures. Accordingly, the controller 180 can execute adifferent function based on a different touch pressure of the touchinput applied on specific touch coordinates.

FIG. 12A is an exploded view illustrating an air hole for inflowing andoutflowing air from a deformation region, and FIG. 12B is across-sectional view illustrating an air hole: Referring to FIGS. 12Aand 12B, a through hole 101 b is formed in a region adjacent to thetouch display unit 510 of the front case 101. The deformation region 512may be communicated with an assembly space within the terminal body bythe through hole 101 b, and communicated with an outside.

When the deformation region 512 is formed of a gas, the window 513 isdeformed when an external force is applied on the window 513. When thewindow 513 is deformed but the display panel 511 is not deformed, a gasconstituting the deformation region 512 is discharged through thethrough hole 101 b. Accordingly, it may be possible to facilitate thedeformation of the window 513 due to a user's pressure and allow thedeformation (or movement) of the sensing layer of the touch sensingunit.

A channel film 700 may be formed between the touch display unit 510 andthe front case 101. The channel film 700 communicates a space to thedeformation region 512 of the touch display unit 510 with the throughhole 101 b. As a result, air flows into the space to restore thedeformation of the deformation region 512. Accordingly, it will be in astate capable of receiving a touch pressure applied on the window again.Furthermore, dirt caused by the deformation can be prevented and removeddue to the free flow of the gas or the like.

The channel film 700 may be made in a thin sheet shape, and formed onthe deformation region 512. The channel film 700 may include a base 710,a hole 720 and a channel portion 730. For example, the channel film 700may be formed on a lower surface of the first sensing layer 514 a, butis not limited to this. In other words, if the channel film 700 isallowed to communicate with the deformation region 512, then it can beadhered to a constituent element of the touch display unit 510.

The base 710 may be formed to be extended toward the through hole 101 b.The base 710 may be formed of a synthetic resin, for example,polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE),and the like. The base 710 may be formed in a transparent manner not tobe exposed to the outside or formed with the same color as thatconstituting the edge region (S).

A hole 720 is formed at a portion corresponding to the through hole 101b of the base 710. The hole 720 may be formed adjacent to an end portionin the extension direction of the base 710. The size of the hole 720 maybe preferably formed to be greater than that of the 101 b to surroundthe through hole 101 b.

The channel portion 730 is formed to be extended toward the hole 720from an end portion of the base 710. A surface of the channel portion730 facing the window 513 of the base 710 may be formed in an engraved(recessed) manner. A plurality of channel portions 730 may be formed tomore quickly perform restoration due to the deformation of the window513. The channel film 700 may be adhered to an adhesive film 701. Theadhesive film itself 701 may be formed of a porous material capable ofventilating air.

A ventilation pad 702 of the front case formed with a porous materialmay be disposed to cover the through hole 101 b. The ventilation pad 702is configured to ventilate air, and formed to prevent foreign substancesfrom infiltrating into a space between the display panel 511 and window513, namely, the deformation region 512. A sponge may be understood as akind of the ventilation pad 702.

An adhesive layer 703 is formed on one surface of the ventilation pad702, and thus is configured so the ventilation pad 702 can be adhered toa rear surface of the front case. Here, the adhesive layer 703 may beformed without a portion corresponding to the through hole 101 b toventilate air. When the shape of the window 513 is restored by releasingan external force for deforming the window 513, external air flows intothe deformation region 512 again through the ventilation pad 702.

When air flows into the deformation region 512 again through theventilation pad 702, it is possible to prevent contaminants from flowingtherein. Accordingly, the deformation of the deformation region may bemore freely allowed, and the restoration of the deformation region maybe facilitated, thereby enhancing the sensing quality of a touchpressure according to the deformation region.

In the above, the structure of a touch display unit for sensing touchcoordinates and a touch pressure using a change of capacitance has beendescribed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, themobile terminal may be controlled in various ways based on the touchcoordinates and touch pressure. A control method of a mobile terminalaccording to the present invention will be described below. Hereinafter,part of a front surface of the mobile terminal mounted on the mobileterminal body to display screen information and receive a touch inputmay be referred to as a display unit 151. In other words, the touchdisplay unit corresponds to a constituent element which is substantiallythe same as the touch display unit 151.

Referring to FIG. 13A, the touch display unit 510 receives a user'stouch input (S10). The user's touch input corresponds to a touch appliedon the window 513. The controller 180 senses the touch coordinates ofthe touch input applied on the window 513 (S20). Furthermore, thecontroller 180 senses the touch pressure of the touch input using thetouch sensing unit 514 (S30). The step of sensing the touch pressurecorresponds to the step of deforming one region of the touch displayunit 510 (see FIG. 3A) by an external force contained in the touch inputand sensing the deformation. In other words, the controller 180 cancalculate a touch pressure according to a current change output due tothe deformation of a partial constituent element of the touch displayunit 510.

However, the step (S20) of sensing the touch coordinates and the step(S30) of sensing the touch pressure of the touch input may occursubstantially at the same time. Accordingly, the steps S20 and S30correspond to the steps that are exchangeable in their sequence or occurat the same time.

The controller 180 generates a control command based on the touchcoordinates and a change of the touch pressure (S40), and executes apreset function in response to the control command (S50). Hereinafter,the detailed control method of a mobile terminal according to a controlcommand based on the touch coordinates and touch pressure will bedescribed.

FIGS. 13B through 13D are conceptual views illustrating a control methodof a mobile terminal based on the touch coordinates and touch pressure.FIG. 13B(a) illustrates the display unit 151 for displaying a map screen300. The controller 180 senses a touch input applied to the display unit151. The controller 180 senses the touch coordinates and touch pressureof the touch input. Hereinafter, it will be described that a displaypanel configured to sense touch coordinates and a touch pressure by thetouch input and controlled by the touch input is referred to as adisplay unit 151.

Referring to FIG. 13B(b), the controller 180 senses first touchcoordinates and a first touch pressure by the touch input. Thecontroller 180 senses first touch coordinates and a first touch pressurebased on the touch input. The controller 180 controls the display unit151 to enlarge and display a region at a ratio corresponding to thefirst touch coordinates around one region of the map screen 300 as shownin FIG. 13B(c). In other words, a region to which the user's touch inputis applied is enlarged and displayed at a preset ratio.

Further, the controller 180 senses first touch coordinates and a secondtouch pressure based on the touch input. The second touch pressure isdefined as a pressure greater than the first touch pressure. In otherwords, the controller 180 senses the deformation of some constituentelements constituting the display unit 151 to calculate the first andthe second touch pressure. According to the present embodiment, it issensed such that the extent of the deformation of a partial constituentelement of the display unit 151 corresponding to the second touchpressure is greater than that of the deformation of a partialconstituent element of the display unit 151 corresponding to the firsttouch pressure.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B along with FIG. 13B, the display panel 511displays the map screen 300. The window 513 may be deformed based on auser's touch input. The first and the second sensing layer 514 a, 514 bsense the touch coordinates of the touch input.

Furthermore, referring to FIGS. 13B(a) through 13B(c), the user'sexternal force contained in the touch input gradually increases, andthus a gap between the window 513, the first and the second sensinglayer 514 a, 514 b and the third sensing layer 514 c graduallydecreases. An amount of current output from the third sensing layer 514c to the first sensing layer 514 a increases in going from FIG. 13B(a)to 13B(c), and thus the touch input is sensed at a larger touchpressure. Accordingly, when an external force for decreasing a distancebetween the third sensing layer 514 c and the first sensing layer 514 ais applied, the controller 180 can control the display panel 511 toenlarge and display the map screen 300 around a specific region of themap screen 300 corresponding to the touch coordinates.

In other words, the controller 180 controls the display unit 151 toenlarge and display one region of the map screen 300 corresponding tothe first touch coordinates at a larger ratio, and controls the displayunit 151 to further enlarge and display a region to which the user'shand is touched as increasing a touch pressure applied to the displayunit 151.

Further, the controller 180 controls the display unit 151 to graduallyreduce and display a map screen that has been enlarged when a touchinput is applied to the display unit 151 so as to decrease the touchpressure. In other words, the user may enlarge or reduce and display themap screen around his or her desired region of the screen informationusing one finger.

FIG. 13C is a conceptual view illustrating a control method of releasinga lock mode based on a touch pressure sensed by a touch input. Here, thelock mode denotes a state in which the activation of the remainingfunctions excluding a preset function are restricted, and the controller180 controls the mobile terminal to release a lock mode when receivingpreset release information in the lock mode.

According to the present embodiment, the preset touch coordinates andtouch pressure of the touch input may be set to release information forreleasing the lock mode. Referring to FIG. 13C(a), the releaseinformation may include a first touch pressure applied to an upper leftportion of the display unit 151, a second touch pressure applied to alower left portion thereof, and a third touch pressure applied to aright side thereof. The first through the third touch pressure may besubstantially the same or sensed by different external forces.Furthermore, the release information may not include information on thetouch coordinates.

For example, referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B again, release information forreleasing a lock mode may be configured with a plurality of touch inputsand a plurality of touch input sequence information includingdistinguishable touch coordinates and distinguishable touch inputs. Thecontroller 180 determines whether or not a touch input contains touchcoordinates corresponding to a sequence by the first and the secondsensing layer 514 a, 514 b, and determines whether or not they contain atouch pressure corresponding to the sequence by the first and the thirdsensing layer 514 a, 154 c. Of course, the step of determining the touchpressure and the touch coordinates does not depend on a sequence.

Further, the release information may not include information on thesequence. In this instance, the controller 180 determines whether or nota touch pressure corresponding to the touch coordinates of a touch inputapplied to one region of the display panel 511 corresponds to presetrelease information. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 13C(b), when sensingthe preset touch coordinates and the touch pressure, the controller 180controls the mobile terminal to release the lock mode.

According to the present embodiment, since the release information isset by a user's force pressing the display unit 151, other personscannot recognize a touch pressure applied to the display unit due to themotion of the user's hand. Accordingly, it may be possible to enhancethe security of release information.

Next, FIG. 13D is a conceptual view illustrating a control method ofreleasing a lock mode based on a touch pressure according to anotherembodiment. Referring to FIG. 13D(a) and (b), a touch pressurecorresponding to each region of the display unit 151 defined to bedivided can be set to a password. For example, a different touchpressure may correspond to each region of the display unit 151 dividedinto four regions.

A numeral illustrated in the drawing corresponds to a first through afourth touch pressure, wherein the first through the fourth touchpressures correspond to cases with different extents of the deformationof a partial constituent element of the display unit 151 by differentexternal forces. For example, the first touch pressure may correspond toa touch input when only touch coordinates to which a pressure is notapplied by the user are sensed.

In other words, the user can apply a touch input having a touch pressurecorresponding to each region to release a lock mode. In this instance,the input of a touch pressure corresponding to the each region may notdepend on the input sequence. Furthermore, substantially the same touchpressure may correspond to different regions to form a password.

FIG. 13E is a conceptual view illustrating a control method of changingscreen information according to a user's touch pressure. Referring toFIG. 13E, screen information displayed on the display unit 151 mayinclude content controlled to receive a user's touch input so as to moveit to another region of the display unit 151.

Referring to FIGS. 13E(a) and 13E(b), when touch coordinates are sensedusing a flicking type touch input to the content 301, the controller 180changes the display region of the content 301. As illustrated in thedrawing, when the content is a graphic image corresponding to a ball,the display unit 151 may display screen information on which a ballflies through the air based on a touch input as shown in FIG. 13(a).

Further, when the touch coordinates and touch pressure are sensed by thetouch input, the controller 180 selects content by the touch coordinatesand move and display the content to correspond to the touch pressure.The degree of the movement of the content may correspond to the touchpressure. In other words, the controller 180 can display screeninformation on which a graphic image corresponding to the ball fliesfarther through the air as increasing the touch pressure as shown inFIG. 13(b).

For example, referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the controller 180 candetermine the change extent of display region of the ball based on acurrent being output as the first and the third sensing layer 514 a, 154c draw close to each other by the touch input. Furthermore, when thetouch coordinates of the touch input are continuously varied by thefirst and the second sensing layer 514 a, 514 b, the controller 180controls the display unit 151 to change the display region of the ball.

Next, FIG. 13F is a conceptual view illustrating a control method ofgenerating a control command based on a change of a touch pressure beingsensed. In particular, FIG. 13F(a) is a view illustrating the displayunit 151 for displaying an e-book page 380. The e-book page may includesequentially listed page information. The display unit 151 displays oneor two pages among a plurality of pages.

Further, the controller 180 controls the display unit 151 to display theprevious or next page based on a consecutive touch input applied whilebeing moved in one direction as shown in FIG. 13F(b). In other words,the controller 180 turns over a page based on a touch input. In otherwords, the controller 180 controls the display unit 151 to display thenext page information of a current page among the page informationsequentially listed based on a touch input. The sequentially displayedpages are defined to correspond to sequential frames.

Further, the controller 180 determines page information to be displayedin response to the touch pressure on the basis of a currently displayedpage. In other words, the controller 180 can determine a frame to bedisplayed from a current frame based on the sensed touch pressure. Thus,the controller 180 can increase a current frame and the frames of pagesto be displayed as increasing the touch pressure.

For example, page 10 may be displayed based on a touch input including atouch pressure when page 5 is currently displayed. When a touch inputhaving a touch pressure greater than that of the touch input is applied,page 20 may be displayed as shown in FIG. 13F(b) and (c).

For example, referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the controller 180 determinesthe amount of frames to be moved based on a current output as the firstand the third sensing layer 514 a, 154 c draw close to each other by thetouch input. According to the present embodiment, as a distance betweenthe first and the third sensing layer 514 a, 154 c decreases (i.e., asincreasing the touch pressure), the controller 180 turns over a lot ofpages. Furthermore, when touch coordinates sensed according to themovement of the touch input are continuously changed, the controller 180controls the display unit to output a page corresponding to the touchpressure.

Further, referring to FIG. 13F(c) and (d), upon sensing a touch pressureabove a preset pressure, the controller 180 can control the display unit151 to display the last page corresponding to the last frame.Accordingly, the controller 180 can selectively receive sequentiallylisted information. Thus, content containing the screen information maybe changed in response to a user's applied force, and thus the mobileterminal may be controlled in a more accurate manner by understandingthe user's intention sensed by a touch input.

Next, FIG. 14A is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling amobile terminal using a plurality of touch inputs having different touchpressures. The display unit 151 receives a first and a second touchinput applied to different regions (S21). The display unit 151 sensesthe first and the second touch coordinates of the first and the secondtouch input (S22). However, the steps of sensing the first and thesecond touch input and the first and the second touch coordinates may beconfigured with substantially the same process, and the sequence ofsteps S21 and S22 may be reversed. The first and the second contentaccording to the first and the second touch coordinates are selected(S23). Here, the first and the second content is included in screeninformation displayed on the display unit 151, and corresponds to agraphic image formed to receive a touch input.

The first and the second touch pressure of the first and the secondtouch input are sensed (S24). The controller 180 compares the first andthe second touch pressure to control at least one of the first and thesecond content to be changed (S51). Here, at least one change of thefirst and the second content corresponds to a deletion of content, amovement of content display location, a store and deletion of content, achange of the storage space of content, and the like. Hereinafter, acontrol method of a mobile terminal based on the plurality of touchinputs will be described in detail.

FIGS. 14B through 14G are conceptual views illustrating a control methodbased on a plurality of touch inputs. FIG. 14B(a) illustrates thedisplay unit 151 displaying screen information 320 containing a firstand a second icon 321, 322. For example, the screen information 320 maycorrespond to a home screen page. The first icon 321 corresponds to afolder icon containing a plurality of icons corresponding to a pluralityof applications, and the second icon 322 corresponds to an executionicon corresponding to an application. When a touch input is applied tothe first icon 321, an execution icon corresponding to a plurality ofapplications contained in the first icon is displayed, and when a touchinput is applied to the second icon 322, the corresponding applicationis executed to display an execution screen.

When the first and the second touch coordinates of the first and thesecond touch input are applied to the first and the second icon 321,322, the controller 180 selects the first and the second icon 321, 322.The controller 180 senses the first and the second touch pressure of atouch input applied to the first and the second icon 321, 322 andcompares them. For example, when the first touch pressure is greaterthan the second touch pressure, the controller 180 controls the displayunit 151 to move the second icon to a folder which is the first icon asshown in FIG. 14B(b). Accordingly, the user can move the selectedcontent to his or her desired region.

Further, the controller 180 can move the first icon 321 to which thefirst touch input with a larger pressure is applied to a region of thesecond icon 322. In other words, the controller 180 can change at leastone of the first and the second icon 321, 322 based on the user'ssetting according to the comparison of touch pressures.

Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 5A, when the first and the second touchinput are applied different regions of the window 513, the controller180 can recognize the first and the second touch coordinates through thefirst and the second sensing layer 514 a, 514 b, and recognize two touchpressures sensed by the movement extent of the touch sensing unit 514and the first sensing layer 514 a in the region of the first and thesecond touch coordinates based on the first and the third sensing layer514 a, 154 c.

Further, the controller 180 forms a compensation pressure for which eachcompensation value corresponding to the first and the second touchcoordinates is applied to each touch pressure according to a currentvalue based on a distance between the first and the third sensing layer514 a, 154 c as the first and the second touch pressure. In other words,the first and the second touch pressure may reflect a user's actuallyintended pressure difference between the first and the second touchinput in a more accurate manner.

Referring to FIG. 14C(a)-(c), a method of generating a different controlcommand due to a touch pressure will be described. FIG. 14C(a) is a viewillustrating the display unit 151 for displaying screen information 330containing a first and a second display region 330 a, 330 bdistinguished from each other. For example, the first display region 330a may correspond to the execution screen of a memo application fordisplaying text or an image, and the second display region 330 b maycorrespond to a home screen page containing a plurality of icons.

When a touch input is applied to the second display region 330 b asshown in FIG. 14C(b), the controller 180 senses the touch coordinatesand touch pressure of the touch input. A content (or icon) contained inthe second display region 330 b is selected by the touch coordinates.The controller 180 can execute an application corresponding to thecontent (icon) when the touch pressure is not sensed.

If a touch pressure corresponding to a preset reference pressure issensed, then the controller 180 can control the first display region 330a even when the reference pressure is not sensed anymore. Furthermore,when a touch pressure corresponding to the preset reference pressure issensed again, the controller 180 can control the second display region330 b using the touch input. However, the present invention is notlimited to this, and may be configured to control the first displayregion 330 a only using a touch input on which a touch pressurecorresponding to the preset reference pressure is sensed.

Further, upon sensing a touch pressure of the touch input, thecontroller 180 restricts the control of the second display region 330 bbased on the touch input. Upon sensing the touch pressure, thecontroller 180 controls the first display region 330 a using the touchinput. For example, upon sensing a touch pressure of the touch input,the controller 180 controls the display unit 151 to display an imagecorresponding to the touch coordinates in the first display region 330 aas shown in FIG. 14C(c). In other words, upon sensing the touchpressure, the controller 180 can control the second display region 330 bto function as an input window of the first display region 330 a.

FIG. 14D is a conceptual view illustrating a method of generating adifferent control command using a distinguished touch pressure. FIG.14D(a) is a view illustrating the display unit 151 for displaying screeninformation 331 containing a first and a second display region 331 a,331 b distinguished from each other. For example, the first displayregion 331 a corresponds to a web page, and the second display region331 b corresponds to the execution screen of a message application. Thecontroller controls the display unit 151 to display text entered basedon a touch input applied to a virtual keyboard displayed in the seconddisplay region 331 b.

In this instance, the controller 180 can recognize touch coordinates anda touch pressure for a touch input applied to the second display region331 b. In other words, the controller 180 controls the display unit 151to display text on a virtual keyboard corresponding to the touchcoordinates.

When the touch pressure of the touch input does not correspond to theextent that an external force is intentionally applied by the user, inother words, referring to FIG. 11, when the touch input is determined tocontain an external force less than the second force, the controllerchanges the second display region 331 b by the touch input. In otherwords, the first display region 331 a is not controlled by the touchinput as shown in FIG. 14D(b).

Further, referring to FIGS. 14D(c) and 14D(d), when determined tocontain an external force greater than the second force by the touchinput, the controller 180 controls the first display region 331 a basedon the touch input. Specifically, the controller 180 controls thedisplay unit to display a pointer 401 corresponding to the touchcoordinates in the first display region 331 a. The location of thepointer 401 displayed in the first display region 331 a may correspondto touch coordinates on the second display region 331 b.

The controller 180 controls the display unit 151 to move the location ofthe pointer 401 based on the touch coordinates changed by the movementof the touch input. While the touch coordinates are changed (namely,while a consecutive touch input is applied), the touch pressure may notbe necessarily maintained above a preset pressure.

In addition, a touch pressure for controlling the first display region331 a is defined as a first touch pressure. When a second touch pressuregreater than the first touch pressure is recognized while displaying thepointer 401, the controller can select content corresponding to thepointer 401 and displayed in the first display region 331 a. Forexample, the controller may control the display unit to display anotherscreen information linked to the content in the second display region331 b based on a touch input on the second display region 331 bcontaining the second touch pressure.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the controller 180 recognizes touchcoordinates by the touch input and determines which one of the first andthe second display region 331 a, 331 b the touch coordinates correspondto the touch coordinates. The controller 180 controls the display unitto sense a touch pressure of the touch input when the touch coordinatesare contained in the second display region 331 b, and display thepointer 401 in the first display region 331 a when the touch pressure isdetermined to be greater than a preset reference pressure based on thefirst sensing layer 514 a moving closer to the third sensing layer 514c.

FIG. 14E is a conceptual view illustrating a control method using atouch input in a watch type mobile terminal 200. As shown in FIG.14E(a), the watch type mobile terminal 200 includes a body having afirst display unit 251 a and a band configured to be wearable on auser's wrist to have a second display unit 251 b. The first display unit251 a receives a user's touch input to control the mobile terminal 200.The second display unit 251 b may display preset screen information. Forexample, the second display unit 251 b can display an icon or the likecorresponding to a specific application. The second display unit 251 bmay be configured to receive a user's touch input, but is not limited tothis.

The controller 180 controls screen information displayed on the firstdisplay unit 251 a based on a touch input applied to the first displayunit 251 a. However, as shown in FIG. 14E(b), when a touch pressure issensed by the touch input, the controller 180 can control the seconddisplay unit 251 b based on a touch input applied on the first displayunit 251 a. Upon sensing the touch pressure, the controller 180 canselect one icon on the second display unit 251 b based on the touchcoordinates of the touch input.

In addition, when an icon displayed on the second display unit 251 b isselected, the controller 180 can display the execution screen of anapplication corresponding to the icon on the first display unit 251 a.Accordingly, a touch sensor may not be necessarily formed on a structurefor fixing it to the user's wrist, and the controller can apply a touchinput to the first display unit to control the display unit on the bandwhen a touch is difficult in a used state of the watch type mobileterminal.

Next, FIG. 14F is a conceptual view illustrating a control method basedon a touch pressure of the touch input in a mobile terminal 100′including a first and a second display unit 151′a, 151′b, which aredistinguished from each other. The mobile terminal according to FIG. 14Eincludes a first and a second boy connected to each other in a movablemanner. The first and the second bodies are coupled to each other in aslidable or foldable manner. The first and the second bodies may includea first and a second display unit 151′a, 151′b, which are distinguishedfrom each other.

The controller 180 controls the first display unit 151′a based on atouch input applied to the first display unit 151′a. However, when thetouch pressure of the touch input is sensed, the controller 180restricts the control of the first display unit 151′a based on the touchinput. In other words, the controller 180 controls the second displayunit 151′b based on the touch pressure of the touch input as shown inFIG. 14F(a) and (b). Furthermore, the controller 180 can control thesecond display unit 151′b to display the pointer 401 corresponding to atouch input applied to the first display unit 151′a based on the touchpressure.

FIG. 14G is a conceptual view illustrating a control method of a mobileterminal connected to an external device. As shown in FIG. 14G(a), themobile terminal 100 according to the present embodiment is linked to anexternal device 900. For example, a video image 320 displayed in oneregion of the display unit 151 can be displayed substantially in thesame manner by the external device 900.

When a touch input is applied to the display unit 151 and a touchpressure corresponding to a reference pressure is not sensed by thetouch input as shown in FIG. 14G(a) and (b), the controller 180 controlsthe mobile terminal based on the touch input. Referring to FIGS. 14G(a)and (c), the controller 180 can execute an application based on thetouch input.

Further, when the touch pressure of the touch input corresponds to areference pressure, the controller 180 can control the external device900 based on the touch input. For example, when a touch input containinga touch pressure corresponding to the reference pressure is sensed, thecontroller 180 can control the wireless communication unit 110 totransmit a wireless signal for adjusting the screen of the externaldevice.

Furthermore, as illustrated in the drawing, when a video imagesubstantially the same as the external device is displayed on thedisplay unit 151, the controller 180 can control the display unit 151 atthe same time based on the touch input. However, the controller 180 cancontrol the external device based on a touch input containing a touchpressure while the mobile terminal is connected to the external deviceeven if the same image as that of the external device is not displayedon the mobile terminal.

Next, FIG. 15 is a conceptual view illustrating a control method ofexecuting a preset function by a touch pressure. FIG. 15(a) is aconceptual view illustrating a display unit 151 for displaying screeninformation 340 containing an image stored in the memory 170. Forexample, the screen information may correspond to the execution screenof a gallery application, and one whole image may be displayed at thecenter of the display unit, and part of two images may displayed at thesame time.

Referring to FIGS. 15(a) and 15(c), the controller 180 controls thedisplay unit to display another image at the center based on a touchinput applied to the display unit 151. Here, the touch input maycorrespond to a dragging type touch input for which a touch pressure isnot sensed when the touch input contains a touch pressure less than areference pressure (when a touch pressure is not sensed).

Referring to FIGS. 15(a), 15(b) and 15(c), the controller 180 selectscontent 341 corresponding to the touch coordinates when the touchpressure of the touch input is sensed (or a touch pressure above arecommended expiration date pressure is sensed). For example, thecontroller 180 selects content corresponding to the touch coordinates atthe time of sensing the touch pressure.

The controller 180 controls the display unit 151 to apply and displaythe content 341 in a region to which a consecutive touch input isapplied subsequent to selecting the content 341. For example, thecontroller 180 can separate the content from the image to temporarilystore it (cut, partial copy). The display unit 151 displays the anotherimage based on the consecutive touch input. When the touch input isreleased, the controller 180 controls the display unit 151 to displaythe content along with the another image as shown in FIG. 15(d).

Upon selecting the content 341, the controller 180 can control thedisplay unit 151 to display the content 341 along a region to which thetouch input is applied even if the touch pressure is released. In otherwords, when the touch pressure of the touch input is sensed, thecontroller 180 can control to temporarily store content corresponding tothe touch coordinates so as to change the display location or storagelocation.

Thus, referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B in addition, when the deformation ofthe window 513 is sensed such that the first and the third sensing layer514 a, 154 c draw close to each other, the controller 180 can selectcontent corresponding to the touch coordinates and execute a functionfor temporarily storing the content.

FIGS. 16A through 16C are conceptual views illustrating a control methodfor executing another function based on a touch pressure. FIG. 16A(a) isa view illustrating a display unit 151 for displaying the playbackscreen of a video file containing image frames arranged as time passes.The play back screen includes a play bar indicating the display statusof a video file.

When a touch pressure less than a reference pressure is contained by atouch input applied to the play bar (when a touch pressure is notsensed), the controller 180 controls the display unit 151 to display aplayback image 361 corresponding to the play bar based on the touchcoordinates of the touch input as shown in FIG. 16A(a). The controller180 controls the display unit 151 to move the playback pointer 362 suchthat the touch coordinates correspond to a change, and display theplayback screen of a playback region corresponding to the moved touchcoordinates of the touch input. For example, when the touch coordinatesis changed by a distance “a”, the controller 180 can change the playbackregion to one hour later.

Further, referring to FIG. 16A(b), when a touch pressure above areference pressure is sensed for a touch input applied to the play bar,the controller 180 controls the display unit 151 to display the playbackscreen of a playback region corresponding to compensation coordinatescompensated by a preset ratio due to a change of the touch coordinates,and display the play pointer 362 at a position corresponding to theplayback region.

with reference to FIG. 16A(c) and (d), the controller 180 can set theratio by the touch pressure. For example, the ratio may be set to ½ whena first touch pressure is sensed, and ⅓ when a second touch pressuregreater than the first touch pressure is sensed. Accordingly, when theratio is set to ½, the controller may change the playback region to 30minutes later if the touch coordinates are changed by the distance “a”.

According to the present embodiment, a method of changing a playbackregion has been described, but a mobile terminal according to thepresent embodiment may control a range of the function by varying atouch pressure in performing substantially the same function. Forexample, when a handwriting (outputting a shape) is performed using ahand, it may be possible to change the thickness of a shape beingdisplayed when a larger touch pressure is sensed by applying a largerexternal force. Accordingly, the user can slightly control a function orform an image using a finger with a wide touch region.

Next, FIG. 16B(a) is a view illustrating a display unit 151 fordisplaying a webpage 370. The webpage 370 may include at least onecontent 371 containing low-level information 372. When the touchpressure of a touch input applied to the content 371 contains a touchpressure less than a reference pressure (when a touch pressure is notsensed), the controller 180 controls the display unit 151 to display thelow-level information as shown in FIG. 16B(b).

The low-level information contains hyperlink information, and providesanother screen information by the hyperlink. When the touch pressure ofa touch input applied to the low-level information is sensed, thecontroller 180 controls the display unit to display another information373 connected to the low-level information as shown in FIG. 16B(b).

FIG. 16C is a conceptual view illustrating a control method ofcontrolling the function of the camera 121 based on the touch input.When the camera 121 is activated, the controller 180 controls thedisplay unit 151 to display a preview image as shown in FIG. 16C(a).

When the touch pressure of a touch input applied to the display unit 151contains a touch pressure less than a reference pressure (when a touchpressure is not sensed), the controller 180 controls the camera 121 toadjust focus on a subject corresponding to the touch coordinates of thetouch input as shown in FIG. 16C(b). When the touch pressure is greaterthan the reference pressure the image is captured as shown in FIG.16C(c)

In other words, referring to FIGS. 16A through 16C and FIG. 3A, when thedeformation of the window 513 is sensed in which the first and the thirdsensing layer 514 a, 154 c draw close to each other, the controller 180can execute a distinguished function on substantially the same touchcoordinates or execute substantially the same function by applying adifferent range thereto.

Further, when the touch pressure of the touch input is sensed, thecontroller 180 controls the camera 121 to image (i.e. capture) thepreview image as shown in FIG. 16C(c). On the drawing, an icon forcontrolling the capture is displayed, but a graphic image forcontrolling the capture may not be required according to the presentembodiment.

Next, FIG. 17 is a conceptual view illustrating a control methodaccording to the sensing of touch coordinates and the sensing of a touchpressure. Referring to FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b), when the touch input isapplied and the touch pressure is not sensed when the map screen 300 isdisplayed on the display unit 151, the controller 180 controls thedisplay unit 151 to display the enlarged image 305 of a regioncorresponding to the touch coordinates.

When the touch pressure of the touch input is sensed, the controller 180controls the display unit 151 to display relevant information 300′corresponding to the touch coordinates as shown in FIG. 17(d).Accordingly, the user can check a region to be selected by a touch inputin advance when the size of an image to be selected is small.

Further, referring to FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b), when the touch input issensed and the touch pressure of the touch input contains a touchpressure less than a reference pressure (when a touch pressure is notsensed), the controller 180 controls the display unit 151 to display acursor 305 in a region corresponding to the touch coordinates of thetouch input. Accordingly, the user can check an image to be selectedwhen applying a touch pressure.

FIG. 18A is a flowchart and FIGS. 18B and 18C are conceptual viewsillustrating a control method when the sensing of touch coordinates isrestricted by a touch sensing unit. Referring to FIG. 18A, the touchsensing unit 514 senses a user's touch input (S10). The controller 180senses touch coordinates using the touch input (S20). Upon sensing thetouch coordinates, the controller 180 senses a touch pressure of thetouch coordinate point (S32). The controller 180 can compensate thetouch pressure based on the touch coordinate point. The controller 180forms a control command according to the touch coordinates and the touchpressure (S50).

Further, when the touch coordinates are not sensed, the controller 180senses the touch pressure (S31), and generates a preset control commandbased on the touch pressure (S52). For example, when the touchcoordinates are not sensed corresponds to a case where an electricityconducting liquid such as water or the like is smeared on the displayunit 151.

Thus, when a plurality of icons are displayed and the sensing of thetouch coordinates is restricted on the display unit 151, a presetfunction may be activated regardless of a region to which a touch inputis applied on the display unit 151. However, even In this instance, adifferent function may be executed according to the touch pressure.

FIG. 18B is a view illustrating a situation in which a call is receivedwhen the touch coordinates are not sensed. When a call is received, thedisplay unit 151 displays an incoming screen, and the incoming screenincludes an icon for receiving a consecutive touch input to connect acall as shown in FIG. 18B(a).

However, when the touch coordinates are not sensed by the touch input,the controller 180 controls the touch sensing unit to sense a touchpressure of the touch input. In other words, upon sensing a touchpressure above a preset reference pressure, the controller 180 receivesthe call as shown in FIG. 18B(b).

Here, the touch input containing the touch pressure can be applied toany region of the display unit 151. In other words, it may be applied toan icon for connecting to a call, but may be also applied to any otherregion thereof. Accordingly, even when the touch coordinates are notsensed due to contaminants on the display unit 151, the controller 180can control the required functions based on a touch pressure.

FIG. 18C is a conceptual view illustrating a control method based on atouch pressure when a mobile terminal is located in water. When themobile terminal is located in water, the controller 180 controls thedisplay unit 151 to restrict a function for sensing the touchcoordinates, and receive a touch pressure of the touch input as shown inFIG. 18(a).

The controller 180 executes a preset function based on a touch pressureof the touch input applied to the display unit 151. For example, uponsensing a touch pressure within a preset pressure range, the controller180 activates the camera as shown in FIG. 18C(b). Though it isillustrated that a touch input is applied to an icon on the drawing, acamera function may be activated by a touch input applied to one regionof the display unit 151.

However, upon sensing a touch pressure within a different range issensed, the controller 180 can activate a different function. When thecamera function is executed and a capture application is activated, apreset function of an application corresponding to the touch pressure isexecuted. For example, the controller 180 controls the camera to adjustfocus when a first touch pressure is sensed, and acquire the image whena second touch pressure is sensed as shown in FIG. 18C(c). As a result,the user can apply a touch pressure to control the mobile terminal evenin water where touch coordinates are not sensed.

The present invention encompasses various modifications to each of theexamples and embodiments discussed herein. According to the invention,one or more features described above in one embodiment or example can beequally applied to another embodiment or example described above. Thefeatures of one or more embodiments or examples described above can becombined into each of the embodiments or examples described above. Anyfull or partial combination of one or more embodiment or examples of theinvention is also part of the invention.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, itshould also be understood that the above-described embodiments are notlimited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unlessotherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within itsspirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore allchanges and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of theclaims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intendedto be embraced by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A force sensitive touch screen device comprising:a device body including a first region and a second region; a windowmounted on the device body and corresponding to the first region and thesecond region; a display unit disposed below the window corresponding tothe first region; a key input unit disposed on the second region; and atouch sensor comprising a first touch sensing layer, a second touchsensing layer, and a force sensing layer, wherein the first touchsensing layer and the second touch sensing layer are disposed between apolarizer layer and a thin film transistor (TFT) layer configured todetect a position of a touch input by sensing a change of capacitance onthe first sensing layer and the second sensing layer, wherein the forcesensing layer is configured detect a force of the touch input by sensinga change of capacitance on the third sensing layer, and wherein a fingerscan sensor is installed in the key input unit.
 2. The force sensitivetouch screen device according to claim 1, wherein one of the first touchsensing layer or the second touch sensing layer is a transmit (Tx) layerand the other of the first touch sensing layer or the second touchsensing layer is a receive (Rx) layer.
 3. The force sensitive touchscreen device according to claim 1, wherein the first touch sensinglayer comprises a plurality of first sensing lines and the second touchsensing layer comprises a plurality of second sensing lines.
 4. Theforce sensitive touch screen device according to claim 3, furthercomprising: an insulating layer disposed in a region at which the firstplurality of sensing lines cross the second plurality of sensing lines.5. The force sensitive touch screen device according to claim 1, whereinthe first touch sensing layer and the second touch sensing layer aredisposed on a same layer.
 6. The force sensitive touch screen deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a deformation regionconfigured to deform with at least the first region or the second regionof the window where the touch input is applied on the window.
 7. Theforce sensitive touch screen device according to claim 6, wherein theforce sensing layer is configured to detect the force of the touch inputaccording to the deformation region deforming with at least the firstregion or the second region of the window where the touch input isapplied on the window.
 8. The force sensitive touch screen deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein the deformation region is a space.
 9. Aforce sensitive touch screen device comprising: a device body includinga first region and a second region; a window mounted on the device bodyand corresponding to the first region and the second region; a displayunit disposed below the window corresponding to the first region; a keyinput unit disposed on the second region; and a touch sensor comprisinga first touch sensing layer, a second touch sensing layer, and a forcesensing layer, wherein the first touch sensing layer and the secondtouch sensing layer are disposed between a polarizer layer and a thinfilm transistor (TFT) layer configured to detect a position of a touchinput by sensing a change of capacitance on the first sensing layer andthe second sensing layer, wherein an insulating layer is disposedbetween the first sensing layer and the second sensing layer, whereinthe force sensing layer is configured detect a force of the touch inputby sensing a change of capacitance on the third sensing layer, andwherein the key input unit is a mechanical key and a finger scan sensoris installed in the key input unit.
 10. The force sensitive touch screendevice according to claim 9, wherein one of the first touch sensinglayer or the second touch sensing layer is a transmit (Tx) layer and theother of the first touch sensing layer or the second touch sensing layeris a receive (Rx) layer.
 11. The force sensitive touch screen deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein the first touch sensing layer comprises aplurality of first sensing lines and the second touch sensing layercomprises a plurality of second sensing lines.
 12. The force sensitivetouch screen device according to claim 11, wherein the insulating layeris disposed in a region at which the first plurality of sensing linescross the second plurality of sensing lines.
 13. The force sensitivetouch screen device according to claim 9, wherein the first touchsensing layer and the second touch sensing layer are disposed on a samelayer.
 14. The force sensitive touch screen device according to claim 9,further comprising: a deformation region configured to deform with atleast the first region or the second region of the window where thetouch input is applied on the window.
 15. The force sensitive touchscreen device according to claim 14, wherein the force sensing layer isconfigured to detect the force of the touch input according to thedeformation region deforming with at least the first region or thesecond region of the window where the touch input is applied on thewindow.
 16. The force sensitive touch screen device according to claim14, wherein the deformation region is a space.